Michael Meredith Swann, Baron Swann of Coln St Denys FRS (1920-1990) was a distinguished molecular and cell biologist working on the mechanisms of cell division and fertilisation. He used cell polarisation methods to understand the changes in molecular organisation of the mitotic spindle. With his collaborator John Mitchison, he found evidence in support of a new theory of cell division. He also collaborated with Nathaniel Rothschild in experiments on changes in membrane structure during fertilisation.

He was chairman of the BBC from 1973 to 1980.

The Michael Swann Building at the University of Edinburgh is named after him, where similar work on cell division and fertilisation continues to this day.

Family Tree

Brother to Hugh Swann cabinet maker to Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

External links

• Entry on "History of the BBC" Flash presentation with no direct link: Select 1970s chairman, Sir Michael Swann
• Another article on the BBC

Fellows of the Royal Society | 1920 births | 1990 deaths