Pierre Henry John Young (12 June 1926 – 4 August 1985) was a British mathematician, of French heritage, who was in charge, during the 1960s, of the engine development for Concorde.
Early life He was born in France, speaking French. He attended Lycée Condorcet, and school in England from 1938, being evacuated to Herefordshire.
At Trinity College, Cambridge he studied Maths.Times obituary Wednesday August 7, 1985, page 12 Whilst at Cambridge, his knowledge of the French language was given to the BBC foreign language service, for coded messages to the French Resistance.
Career He joined Bristol Siddeley in 1949, and in 1959 he became assistant chief engineer.
Concorde engine He was the head of Concorde engine programme from 1962.Bristol Evening Post Wednesday 20 December 1967, page 2 This was taken over by Rolls-Royce from 1966. His knowledge of the French language helped the two teams socialise, and work. He understood the 'volatile French temperament'.
On Wednesday 3 April 1969, he appeared on 'The Change Makers' on BBC1 at 10.50pm.Western Daily Press Friday 3 January 1969, page 4 The Change Makers January 1969
On 2 March 1969, he attended the first flight of Concorde, in France.,Bristol Evening Post Monday 3 March 1969, page 16 with his deputy, Peter Calder.
By the early 1970s, he was Technical Director of the Bristol Engine Division of Rolls-Royce. He gave a talk about Concorde on Wednesday 3 May 1972 at the Bristol branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society.Bristol Evening Post Thursday 4 May 1972, page 13 In February 1975 he became deputy technical director of Rolls-Royce.Nottingham Evening Post Thursday 27 February 1975, page 8
He was featured on the 'Faster than the Sun' documentary on BBC1 on Wednesday 13 April 1983, following Speedbird 193 from London, with Captain Brian Walpole and Christopher Orlebar, passing by Nova Scotia and Nantucket.Faster than the Sun 1983BFI 1983
He received the RAeS Gold medal in 1984.
Personal life He married Lily Irene Cahn (German nationality, from Fürth in northern Bavaria, 14 July 1928- 4 January 1990) in 1953; her elder brother was Robert W. Cahn FRS, and her nephew is Sir Andrew Cahn.
His son, Thomas, and daughter, Michele, both attended the University of Cambridge.
He went on holidays, climbing in the Alps. Twice a week he would put on his shorts, and jog around The Downs, Bristol. He lived on Rockleaze Avenue in Sneyd Park, near Stoke Bishop.Western Daily Press 3 March 1969, page 27Bristol Evening Post Monday 3 March 1969, page 42 His memorial service was on 20 February 1986 at St Peter's church in Filton, attended by his wife Irène.Bristol Evening Post Friday 21 February 1986, page 14
References
External links Royal Society biography