Subject Awards
The Young medal and prize
History
This award was originally "The Thomas Young Oration" of the Optical Society, instituted in 1907; it was to be 'on an optical subject'. After the Optical Society was amalgamated with The Physical Society of London in 1932 to become The Physical Society, the Council of the latter society appointed the orator.
In 1953, it was decided "That the orator shall be chosen without regard to nationality in recognition of distinguished work in optics. The last term shall be understood to include the optical principles existing in branches of physics other than that concerned with the visible region of the spectrum. For example, work relating to the optical principles associated with infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, x-rays or radio physics, or with some aspects of electron physics, shall also be regarded as optics for the purposes of the award".
The Council of the amalgamated Institute of Physics and The Physical Society in 1961 changed the award to a medal and prize.
Terms
The award shall be made for distinguished research in optics, including work related to physics outside the visible region. The medal will be bronze and will be accompanied by a prize of £1000 and a certificate.
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