Dossier 109 - Sir John Maddox

2 audio tapes, 1 cd, 1 file, 4 AIFF files (1.65 GB)

Interview with Sir John Maddox, science correspondent for the Guardian. Conducted by Tim Radford on 25 February 2004. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.12 Went to Manchester in 1949 to join the theoretical physics department at Manchester University
03.30 Experience teaching
04.30 Remembers teaching students who are now distinguished themselves
05.18 His first wife was having their second child. Salary was not enough to support family so applied to the Atomic Energy Authority
06.30 Resigned from university
06.50 Paddy Monkhouse asked him to join the Guardian. Worked as a science correspondent
07.58 Worked for three weeks over Christmas as he had not worked as a journalist before
08.25 Remembers his first articles

14.02 Began covering medicine and technology
18.24 Working in 'The Corridor'
18.24 Joined in Spring 1955 and first leader was on the death of Einstein at the end of April 1955.

21.03 Paid £1200 when he joined - one of the highest paid
21.25 Importance of science at this time - the start of the space race
21.30 November 1955 went to Leningrad sailed with the Navy on an aircraft carrier
21.30 Describes 'hair-raising' trip. Radioed copy from ship
27.20 Discussion of AP Wadsworth
28.17 Election in April 1956 - no room for science in the paper, appointed to do psephology on the election instead

30.00 Talks of old Guardian colleagues including Alastair Hetherington and Alastair Cooke
32.18 *
35.46 Moves to London office in the summer of Suez and was given a car
35.46 Describes the London office as 'a home from home, same kind of people'

42.55 Guardian line on expenses
44.20 Dawn of the space age

Track 2
00.01 Exchange system with the Washington Post for specialists
03.00 Work as freelance in Hong Kong
04.20 Returning from Washington
05.00 Talks abaout the British Association which he was not in favour of
07.50 Discusses his broadcasting career with BBC

Restricted - Access to edited copy via GNM Digital Repository

Copyright: Guardian News & Media Ltd and Sir John Maddox