Dennis Walsh

Who was Dennis Walsh?

Dennis Walsh was an English astronomer, born into a poor family in Manchester. He was best known for his discovery in 1979 of the first example of a gravitational lens which he made while studying quasars found in the Jodrell Bank 966MHz survey.

He developed an early aptitude for mathematics and physics, gaining a first class honours degree from the University of Manchester at the age of 19. His doctorate was gained from the same university in 1957.

He married Pamela Lawton in 1957 by whom he had four sons, named Colin, Timothy, Paul and Brian. Dr. Walsh taught at the University of Michigan from 1959 before returning to University of Manchester in 1967. He also oversaw 16 Ph.D courses for various students, including one who would later go on herself to teach acclaimed British physicist and maker of documentaries, Brian Cox.

Dr. Walsh was a long serving council member of the Royal Astronomical Society and held the post of Treasurer for several years. He was also chair of the local organising committee for the International Astronomical Union's meeting in Manchester in 2000.

In his last years Dr. Walsh suffered from Lewy body disease. He died at home at the age of 71.