Scientists who have received a CBE, OBE, MBE, knighthood or damehood

We take a look at some notable chemists, biologists and physicists who have received a knighthood, CBE, OBE or MBE British honour, as announced in The Gazette.

Biritsh Scientists with UK Honours

Scientists who have received a knighthood or damehood

Scientists have been rewarded throughout the history of the British honours system, with some of the most influential scientists of all time recognised for their services to physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, computer science and zoology.

One of the most influential of them all, Sir Isaac Newton, was knighted as far back as 1705 by Queen Anne (Gazette issue 4115). His burial at Westminster Abbey was also recorded in 1727 (Gazette issue 6569).

More recently, inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, was knighted in the 2004 New Year honours for “services to the global development of the Internet” (Gazette issue 57155). Meanwhile, other modern pioneers, such as primatologist and anthropologist Dame Jane Goodall (Gazette issue 56963) and neurobiologist Sir Colin Blakemore (Gazette issue 60895), have also been awarded with a damehood and knighthood, respectively.

One of the latest scientists to be recognised for their services to science was Dame Sarah Gilbert (Gazette issue 63377), who received a damehood in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours for her work in developing the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Sir Andrew Pollard (Gazette issue 63377), the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group who ran trials of the vaccine, was also knighted.

Living British scientists with a knighthood or damehood

Here’s a list of notable current scientists who have received a knighthood or damehood:

Former famous British scientists with a knighthood or damehood

Here’s a list of notable former scientists who received a knighthood or damehood for services to science from the reigning monarch:

Living scientists who have received CBE, OBE or MBE honours

Here is a list of notable living scientists who have received a CBE, OBE or MBE for services to science:

Former scientists who received CBE, OBE or MBE honours

Here is a list of notable former scientists who received a CBE, OBE or MBE for services to science:

Scientists who are members of the Order of the Companions of Honour

The Companion of Honour is an honour given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the arts, science, medicine or the government over a long period of time. It was founded by George V in 1917 and is limited to just 65 people at any one time.

There are currently six scientists who are members of the Companion of Honour:

Here are some notable former scientists who were members of the Companion of Honour:

See also

What is the difference between a CBE, OBE, MBE and a knighthood?

The New Year Honours list 2021

Everything you need to know about nominating someone for a UK honour

Find out more

British Science Week

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Publication updated: 19 June 2023