Biographical note Alexander King

Dr. Alexander King, chairman of the International Federation of Insti- tutes for Advanced Study since 1974, was born in Glasgow in 1909. He was educated at Highgate School, the Royal College of Science, London ( DSC), and the University of Munich. With A. Peccei he was co-founder of the Club of Rome.

Dr. King was Director General for Scientific Affairs, at the Organiza- tion for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD) in Paris until 1974. He was senior lecturer in physical chemistry, Imperial College (until 1940); deputy scientific adviser, Ministry of Production ( 1942); head of the United Kingdom Scientific Mission, Washington; and scienti- fic attach6, British Embassy, 1943-47; head of Lord President’s Scientific Secretariat, 1947-50; chief scientist in charge of Intelligence and Overseas Divisions, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, London ( 1950-57 ) ; chairman, Productivity and Applied Research Committee of the Organization for European Economic Cooperation ( 1951-57); deputy director, European Productivity Agency ( 1956-61 ) ; director, Office of Scientific and Technical Personnel, OEEC (1958-61); Director for Scienti- fic Mairs, OECD (1961-68); Director General ( 1968-74). He is adviser for the Government of Ontario; and Associate Fellow, Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, Santa Barbara, California. Among his publi- cations are several textbooks on chemistry and numerous articles on national and international aspects of scientific policy, education and management.

As well as numerous other awards and honorary degrees, Dr. King was awarded the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) in 1975 and the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1948. He is a recipient of the Harrison Prize of the Chemical Society, 1939.