Cambridge in America

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

“Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself its own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it.” - Niels Bohr

Happy Birthday to quantum physics pioneer Niels Bohr (Trinity College 1911)!

Born in Copenhagen on October 7, 1885, Bohr arrived in Cambridge in 1911, beginning a chapter in a scientific journey that would ultimately change how we understand the universe.

During his time at the Cavendish Laboratory, Bohr worked under J. J. Thomson and pursued questions about atomic structure that would help define his career. In 1913, he introduced his groundbreaking model of the atom, and in 1922, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Bohr went on to establish what is now the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen and became one of the founding figures of quantum physics. His influence extended far beyond the laboratory, shaping conversations about science, philosophy, and how we understand the natural world.

His legacy remains very much alive today. In 2026, the Niels Bohr Archive hosted its third BOHR21 Workshop, bringing researchers together to revisit Bohr’s extraordinary contributions to physics, philosophy, and our understanding of science.

Get the facts on Niels Bohr by visiting https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1922/bohr/facts/

Photo: AB Lagrelius & Westphal / Wikimedia Commons, public domain

10/01/2026

09/27/2026

“I wanted to find out exactly who was in charge, whether it was God Himself or whether it was scientists in the laboratory. It was us.” - Sir Robert Edwards

Happy birthday to Sir Robert Edwards (Churchill College 1963), whose pioneering work has helped make parenthood possible for millions of families.

Born in Yorkshire in 1925, Edwards came to Cambridge in 1963. Together with Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy, he helped pioneer in vitro fertilization (IVF). Their work led to the birth of Louise Brown, the first baby conceived through IVF, in 1978.

Edwards received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010. His papers, held at the Churchill Archives Centre, tell the story of the people and persistence behind a discovery that continues to bring hope to families around the world.

Take a closer look at the life and work of Sir Robert Edwards by visiting https://archives.chu.cam.ac.uk/collections/research-guides/edws/

09/27/2026

“Everything I had worked for, all my years of study, had been to purchase for myself this one privilege: to see and experience more truths than those given to me by my father, and to use those truths to construct my own mind.” - Tara Westover

Happy birthday to Tara Westover (Trinity College 2008)!

From Idaho to Cambridge, Tara’s journey has inspired readers around the world. As a Gates Cambridge Scholar, she earned an MPhil and PhD in History. Her memoir, “Educated”, has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 45 languages.

Since the publication of her memoir, Westover has continued to speak and write about education, identity, self-discovery, and the importance of intellectual freedom. In 2023, she received the National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden for her contributions to literature and the humanities. Today, she continues to connect with readers and audiences about her work, including a July appearance on PBS NewsHour answering questions about "Educated."

We wish Tara a wonderful birthday and celebrate the curiosity and courage at the heart of her work.

Find out more about Tara and her work at www.tarawestover.com

09/25/2026

What book do you return to when you need a little comfort?

For Professor Barbara Sahakian (Darwin), it’s *Pride and Prejudice*. In a new University of Cambridge story, she and her colleagues explore how reading for pleasure is linked to brain health and wellbeing, and why it’s never too late to find a book you love: https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/reading-for-pleasure-and-for-better-health

CAm had the pleasure of speaking with Professor Sahakian earlier this year about her career and the everyday habits that help us care for our minds: https://www.cantab.org/25th-anniversary/25-years-25-stories/minding-your-mind

09/16/2026

“The first step toward tolerance is respect and the first step toward respect is knowledge.” – Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Join us in wishing a very happy 76th birthday to Harvard Professor and CAm Board Director Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (Clare College 1973)!

An acclaimed literary scholar and Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Professor Gates serves as the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. His distinguished career has been recognized with numerous awards and honorary degrees, including an honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Cambridge.

Professor Gates has also made a lasting difference through his generosity and commitment to future generations. He galvanized support for the Alexander Crummell Fund, named in honor of the first Black student to matriculate and graduate from Cambridge. In 2022, he established the Soyinka Appiah Fund at Clare College to honor two people who shaped his Cambridge experience: his mentor, Professor Wole Soyinka, and his classmate, Professor Kwame Anthony Appiah (Clare 1975).

This year has brought even more reasons to celebrate Professor Gates. In 2026, he wrote, hosted, and executive-produced “Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History,” a four-part PBS documentary exploring the complex and interconnected history of Black and Jewish Americans. He also returned for the twelfth season of “Finding Your Roots,” his acclaimed PBS series bringing family histories to life through genealogy, genetics, and historical research. The next season of “Finding Your Roots” premieres on January 12, 2027, on PBS.

In April, Professor Gates received the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership, the University of Virginia’s highest external honor. That same month, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture presented him with its Medal of Excellence during its centennial celebration. In June, the University of Oxford awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in recognition of his outstanding contributions to scholarship and the public understanding of history and culture.

Discover his remarkable story here: ow.ly/Azij50ZOjHC

09/07/2026

“No matter how powerful the forces against them, when people are prepared to stand up for what they believe, they succeed." - Vladimir Kara-Murza

Happy Birthday to Vladimir Kara-Murza (Trinity Hall 2000)!

From his time studying History at Cambridge to his courageous work as a journalist and advocate for human rights, Vladimir’s life and career have been marked by an extraordinary commitment to the principles he believes in.

Having survived two poisonings in earlier years, Vladimir was arrested in Russia in 2022 after publicly condemning the invasion of Ukraine and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was released in August 2024 as part of a major East-West prisoner exchange and has continued to speak out with determination. While imprisoned, he continued writing columns for The Washington Post and was awarded the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his work.

In 2025, Vladimir returned to Trinity Hall to receive an Honorary Fellowship in person, a particularly meaningful homecoming to Cambridge. In 2026, Vladimir continued his advocacy for democracy and human rights. In March, he addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, and he was selected to participate in the Council of Europe’s new Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Free Russia Foundation, Senior Advisor at Human Rights First, and Senior Fellow at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights.

Today, we celebrate Vladimir and his enduring connection to the Cambridge community.

Discover more about Vladimir and his work:
https://www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/people/vladimir-kara-murza
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/vladimir-kara-murza/

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09/06/2026

“I'm always interested in telling stories that have a message because I really do believe that film is so powerful.” - Naomie Harris

Happy Birthday to Naomie Harris (Pembroke College 1995)!

From studying Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge to becoming one of Britain’s most acclaimed actors, Naomie’s career has taken her from Pembroke College to some of the biggest stages and screens in the world.

After Cambridge, Naomie trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before establishing an extraordinary career across film, television, and theatre. Her memorable roles include Selena in "28 Days Later," Tia Dalma in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series, Winnie Mandela in "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," and Eve Moneypenny in the James Bond films "Skyfall," "Spectre," and "No Time to Die."

Her acclaimed performance in the Academy Award-winning Moonlight earned her nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. In 2017, she was awarded an OBE for her services to drama.

In 2026, Naomie began filming the new BBC legal drama "Reputation," playing a high-powered lawyer drawn into a high-profile libel case. She has also expanded beyond acting, recently co-founding an AI-native technology startup. Her recent screen work includes Steven Soderbergh’s "Black Bag," alongside Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.

Today, we are delighted to celebrate Naomie and her enduring connection to the Cambridge community.

Read Naomie’s Cambridge story in “Black Cantabs: History Makers”:
https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/black-cantabs

08/27/2026

John McPhee (Magdalene 1953) has written more than 30 books, won a Pulitzer Prize, taught writing for 45 years, and helped shape generations of writers. At 95, he is still writing.

But ask him which educational experience influenced him most as a writer, and his answer might surprise you.

In a conversation with Cambridge in America, the legendary author reflects on his year at Cambridge, the lessons he passed on to his students and what life looks like at 95.

Read “His way with words: The Legendary John McPhee”:
cantab.org/cam-homepage/his-way-with-words-the-legendary-john-mcphee-magdalene-1953

Photo courtesy of Yolanda Whitman, wife of John McPhee

The New Yorker Princeton University