Arne Magnéli (1915-1996)

Arne Magnéli died on July 22, 1996 at the age of 81. He grew up in Stockholm and started his research career as a structural chemist at the U. in Stockholm under the guidance of Arne Westgren, the doyen of X-ray crystallography in Sweden. Later he joined Gunnar Hägg in Uppsala, where Magnéli made important contributions in the development of a crystallography department with an international reputation. In 1953 Magnéli became professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the U. of Stockholm and built a very active research group in Solid State and Structural Chemistry. His earlier research on molybdenum and tungsten oxides was expanded during his time as professor, 1953-1980. New methods and subjects were introduced by his many students and collaborators. Many foreign researchers were also attracted to his lab. Magnéli was elected as a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1970, where he made many important contributions, in particular as secretary in the Nobel Committees of Physics (1966-1973) and Chemistry (1966-1983). He was a member of both the National Committees of Chemistry and Crystallography and for several years was Chairman in these committees. Magnéli was elected to the Executive Committee of the IUCr in 1972 and was its President from 1975-1978. Magnéli worked energetically for the free circulation of scientists and during his IUCr presidency - at the time of the cold war - strove to allow researchers from the Eastern Countries to attend the IUCr Congress; he even threatened to move the General Assembly to another country. Even after his retirement he played an active role in the research activities of Stockholm U. He made many friends through the combination of his gentle manner, cultural interests (not least in music), intellectual fervor and humor. Until his sudden and unexpected death he remained full of energy and new ideas.

(Science International no. 63 Dec. 1996)