In the war, most young men were inducted into the armed forces at the age of 17. A group of students was permitted to attend university before taking part in wartime research projects.

quote by John Pople
Added by Lucian Velea
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

At the age of 12, I developed an intense interest in mathematics. On exposure to algebra, I was fascinated by simultaneous equations and read ahead of the class to the end of the book.

quote by John Pople
Added by Lucian Velea
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Looking through the list of earlier Nobel laureates, I note a large number with whom I became acquainted and with whom I interacted during those years as they passed through Cambridge.

quote by John Pople
Added by Lucian Velea
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Leaving England was a painful decision, and we still have some regrets about it. However, at that time, the research environment for theoretical chemistry was clearly better in the U.S.

quote by John Pople
Added by Lucian Velea
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

I abandoned chemistry to concentrate on mathematics and physics. In 1942, I travelled to Cambridge to take the scholarship examination at Trinity College, received an award and entered the university in October 1943.

quote by John Pople
Added by Lucian Velea
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!