John Allan Broun FRS was a Scottish scientist with interests in magnetism, particularly of the earth, and meteorology. Broun studied in Edinburgh University and worked at the observatory in Makerstoun from 1842 to 1849 before moving to India to work in the Kingdom of Travancore. He continued his studies on geo-magnetism in India and was involved in setting up observatories there apart from managing the Napier Museum in Trivandrum. One of the fundamental discoveries he made was that the Earth loses or gains magnetic intensity not locally, but as a whole. He also found that solar activity causes magnetic disturbances.
John Allan Broun
Memorial tablet for Broun's daughter Aline
The Royal Medal, also known as The Queen's Medal and The King's Medal, is a silver-gilt medal, of which three are awarded each year by the Royal Society, two for "the most important contributions to the advancement of natural knowledge" and one for "distinguished contributions in the applied sciences", done within the Commonwealth of Nations.
King George IV of the United Kingdom (pictured) initiated the Royal Medals during 1825.
Professor Ann Dowling: Cambridge University, 2019.
Professor Lewis Wolpert: University College London, UK, 2018.
Professor Tony Hunter: Salk Institute, US, 2014.