Science, Medicine & Engineering
Landmark
Francis Allotey
1932 – 2017
The Allotey Formalism, and the first Ghanaian doctorate in mathematical sciences
Landmark is level 2 of 5 in the Ghana Hall of Fame: a first, or the pre-eminent figure of their generation in this country. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
His work on soft X-ray spectroscopy established a principle that carries his name, and he spent the rest of his career building mathematics and physics across Africa.
Born at Saltpond in August 1932, Allotey took his doctorate at Princeton in 1966 and, with Daniel Afedzi Akyeampong, became one of the first Ghanaians to hold a doctorate in the mathematical sciences.
His work on soft X-ray spectroscopy established the principle known as the Allotey Formalism, for which he received the Prince Philip Gold Medal in 1973. He returned to Ghana and spent his career promoting mathematics and physics across the continent. He died in Accra in November 2017.
His work on soft X-ray spectroscopy established the principle known as the Allotey Formalism, for which he received the Prince Philip Gold Medal in 1973. He returned to Ghana and spent his career promoting mathematics and physics across the continent. He died in Accra in November 2017.
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