Edward Lee (scientist)
Edward Lee (2 March 1914 – 31 December 2001) was a British scientist, inventor, and civil servant. He was the builder of Britain's first infrared spectrometer, and later served as Director of the Admiralty Research Laboratory. Education 
Lee was educated at Consett Grammar School. He earned an MSc from Manchester University, where he was a protégé of scientists Lawrence Bragg and Patrick Blackett. He was headhunted by Sir Gordon Sutherland to build an infrared spectrometer at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, where he received his PhD. Second World War career 
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Lee had won a Commonwealth scholarship to continue his research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but chose instead to remain in Britain to help with the war effort. In 1939, Lee joined the Scientific and Technical Staff at the Royal Navy's Admiralty Research Laboratory in Teddington, Middlesex. He served in the Scientific Research and Experiment Department working on radar & Type F infrared rays recognition system. Post-war career 
From 1946-1948, Lee served on the staff of the UK Ministry of Defence. In 1948, he joined the Admiralty's Department of Physical Research. In 1951, he returned to the Admiralty Research Laboratory, and in 1955 he was appointed Director of Operational Research, Royal Naval Scientific Service. In 1958, Lee was appointed Deputy Director of the National Physical Laboratory. In 1960, he was appointed Director, Stations and Industry Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In 1965, during Harold Wilson's "white heat of technology", he became Deputy Controller (R) at the Ministry of Technology. In 1970 he was appointed Head of Research Services at the Department of Trade and Industry. From 1971 until his retirement in 1974, Lee served as Director of the Admiralty Research Laboratory. Retirement 
In later life, Lee served as Governor of Hampton School, and Captain and President of the Home Park Golf Club at Hampton Court. External links 
 Obituary - The Daily Telegraph
 Royal Navy Civil Officers - unithistories.com

1914 births
2001 deaths
Alumni of the University of Manchester
20th-century British physicists
20th-century British inventors
Civil servants in the Admiralty
Civil servants in the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
Members of HM Scientific Civil Service
People educated at Consett Grammar School
20th-century Royal Navy personnel
Scientists of the National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom)