Professor Duncan Dowson – a trailblazer in the science of Tribology

Professor Duncan Dowson was elected as President of IMechE in 1992.

Duncan Dowson was born in 1928 in the North Yorkshire Moors and he studied at Lady Lumley’s Grammar School. He proceeded onto the University of Leeds and achieved his first degree in 1950. After completing his PhD, Duncan joined the Sir W.G. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Company for two years before returning to Leeds as a Lecturer where he progressed to become Professor of Engineering Fluid Mechanics and Tribology.

Duncan was a member of the working group set up by Lord Bowden in 1964, to examine lubrication, education and research.  He was an instrumental member of the committee that identified the term ‘tribology’ in 1966. The following year, he established the Institute of Tribology at Leeds to coordinate tribological practice in industry, teaching and research. He served as Institute Director until 1987.

An acclaimed writer, Duncan had over 500 publishing credits. He acted as the editor of Institution’s Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Journal of Engineering Medicine. He received notable recognition during his career including being elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (1982) and receiving a CBE (1989). Duncan was also the recipient of the Institution’s Thomas Hawksley Gold Medal (1966), James Clayton Prize (1979), Tribology Gold Medal (1979) and James Watt International Gold Medal (2001).

As a well-respected member of the Yorkshire branch of the Institution, Duncan took up several roles in the Region before becoming more involved centrally in London. His determination and passion for Mechanical Engineering culminated in Duncan’s election as President of the Institution in 1992.

Duncan Dowson died on 6 January 2020 and is survived by his wife and son.

Find out more

• IMechE Past Presidents