Web mastermind honoured
Tim Berners-Lee: Some say the fellowship is belated
Timothy Berners-Lee, the British mastermind of the world wide web, has been awarded fellowship of the Royal Society.
He is among 43 new fellows elected to the distinguished scientific body.
Now based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US, Professor Berners-Lee invented the web's address system and layout in Switzerland in 1990, revolutionising communication through the internet.
The award follows criticism from the new president of the 360-year-old society, Sir Robert May, that the organisation had overlooked the internet inventor.
The astronomer Sir Patrick Moore was also awarded an honorary fellowship in recognition of his BBC TV programme 'The Sky at Night'.
Professor John Enderby, Vice-President of the Royal Society, said: "Sir Patrick's election is a timely and appropriate recognition of his great contribution to science in this country."
Other new fellows include:
Biologist Richard Dawkins, author of The Selfish Gene, for his work on evolution and the public understanding of science
Geneticist Dr Robin Lovell-Badge of the Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research, London
Mathematician Professor Ian Stewart of
Warwick University.
-- Anonymous, May 14, 2001