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Boyle, Robert William
Robert William Boyle, physicist (b at Carbonear, Nfld 2 Oct 1883; d at London, Eng 18 Apr 1955). The first PhD in physics from McGill (1909), Boyle is best known for his work on the properties of ultrasonic waves and his contribution to the development of an echo method for detecting submarines during WWI. He began research on the radioactivity of RADIUM under Sir Ernest RUTHERFORD at McGill and continued his work in Manchester, England, 1909-11.
In 1912 he became head of physics at University of Alberta and started research on ultrasonics. During WWII he supervised research on radar at the NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL. He was elected to the Royal Society of Canada in 1921 and awarded the Flavelle Medal in 1940. He was director of physics at the National Research Council 1929-48.
