The Christopher Morcom Prize for Science, established in 1930, is a science prize at Sherborne School to "encourage the true pursuit of Science among Shirburnians".
It was named in memory of Sherborne student athlete, astronomer, and prankster Christopher Morcom.
It was established in 1930 by his parents, the Colonel R.K. Morcom, and sculptor and artist Frances Isobel Swan.
Morcom was a close childhood friend of computer scientist Alan Turing, who received the award twice.
Background Morcom himself was a science award winner, and considered one of Sherborne's most promising students. In 1929, he won the Digby Prize for Mathematics and Science. He won a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge at the age of 18. However, in 1930, Morcom died of tuberculosis. The prize was established on the year he was meant to graduate.
Design The interior text was illustrated by Madeline Walker in the style of illuminated manuscripts. It also contained an idealized portrait of a young Morcom by Norman Hirst.
The prize and its contents is described in the 1933 Shirburnian as follows:The Shirburnian, November 1933, Page 177-178. Source; The Old Shiburnian Society.The Christopher Morcom Prize for Science, in memory of the boy of that name, is provided each year from a Trust Fund. In addition to the sum awarded for books the winner is also presented with a facsimile of the illuminated" Christopher Morcom Prize" book. This states the object of the Prize and contains the names of the winners from year to year. A beautiful case of teak, in itself a fine example of devoted workmanship, made by a craftsman in the employ of the Morcom family, now stands in the Library. In a lower drawer it contains two dozen copies of the Prize Book for future winners; and on view in the glass case is another copy showing the beautiful illuminated work by Madeline Walker. A sliding panel shows on a steel plate a likeness of the boy himself, Scholar Elect of Trinity College, Cambridge, one of the most brilliant members of the School for some time past.
Recipients
+YearRecipientCitationNotes1930Alan Mathison Turing1931Alan Mathison Turing1934Derman Guy ChristophersonThe Shirburnian July 1934, page 349Christopherson would go on to become a science academic.1936P. H. Geake1936 July The Shiburnian Page 404Geake was the Head of School.1940P. A. Turner1940 July Shirburnian page 4091957John MorcomMichaelmas 1957 The Shirburnian, Page 117.Nephew of the eponymous Christopher Morcom; twin brother of a younger Chris Morcom. Came to Sherborne in 1952. Both Morcoms also in Lyon House. Both Morcoms admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge.Unknown yearDermot TuringNephew of Alan Turing.
See also
List of science and technology awards
References