Fleming, John Ambrose

Born at Lancaster; hearing deteriorated gradually during his school years; graduated University College (London) in 1870, the Royal College of Chemistry, and St. John's College, Cambridge Univerisity. Famous for his applications of electrical science to the telephone, electric lighting, and the wireless telegraph (radio); inventor of the thermionic valve (diode or "vacuum tube"), which he called the "electric valve"; author of numerous scientific publications. Knighted in 1929 by King George V. Died at Sidmouth, Devon.