Nevill Francis Mott (Sir, Nobel)

Nevill Francis Mott, a British physicist, shared the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1977 for his contributions to the understanding on how materials can function as either electronic conductors or insulators, a pivotal concept in the design and manufacture semiconductor chips. Nevill was initially home schooled by his parents, who originally met each other while working at a physics laboratory. Since both taught math and science, it was not surprising that Nevill exceled in these disciplines. Although Mott did not possess a PhD, his contributions to the field were recognized when he was Knighted in 1962. Nevill Mott confirmed his Christian faith when he noted: "I believe in God, who can respond to prayers, to whom we can give trust and without whom life on this earth would be without meaning."