(1916-1998), scientist and author

John Anthony Chaldecott, born in 1916, was a British scientist, librarian, Science Museum curator and a founder member of the British Society for the History of Science. After studying Physics at London University he took up teaching and lecturing.

In 1949 he joined the Science Museum as Assistant Keeper in the Physics Department, where he was in charge of the Optics Collection and also the Heat and the George III Collections. In 1961 John became Keeper of the Science Museum Library, a post he held until his retirement in 1976. He had gained an M.Sc. in the history and philosophy

of science at University College London in 1949, followed up later with a Ph.D.

He was active in the BSHS from the beginning and he was Honorary Secretary during 1963–68.

John died on the 2nd May 1998 at the age of 82.