Renwick, William, 1924-1971 (research manager)
Dates
- Existence: 1924 - 1971
Biography
William Renwick (1924-1971) was educated at Lanark Grammar School and Glasgow University, 1941-1943, where he graduated B.Sc. in Mathematics, Physics and Electronics. From 1943 to 1947 he worked on radar at the Admiralty Signals Establishment, and in 1947 was appointed University Demonstrator in the Mathematical Laboratory, Cambridge where he became responsible for the direction and supervision of research and development in the Digital Computer Department and was one of the team which developed the EDSAC computer. He became Senior Assistant in Research at the Mathematical Laboratory, and in 1958 joined the Plessey Company at the Electronic Research Laboratory, Roke Manor, Romsey. In 1965, on the formation of the Company's Automatic Group at Poole, he became its first Research Manager, the position he held at the time of his death at the age of 47. Renwick is commemorated by two annual prizes funded by the Plessey Company: the William Renwick Memorial Prize to the author of 'the highest quality technical paper published by its employees', and a prize at University College, Swansea 'to the candidate who has attained the highest standard in the honours examination in Computer Technology' (see CSAC 84.2.82/A.2). Renwick was married, with two daughters.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
William Renwick: Papers and Correspondence
The papers are not extensive, relating essentially to the development of the EDSAC computer, 1947-1949, and include framed photographs of the machine and of its first printout in 1947.