Fred Hoyle

Sir Fred Hoyle FRS was an English astronomer noted primarily for the theory of stellar nucleosynthesis, but also for his often controversial stances on other scientific matters—in particular his rejection of the "Big Bang" theory, a term coined by him on BBC radio, and his promotion of panspermia as the origin of life on Earth. While Hoyle is well-regarded for his works on nucleosynthesis and science popularisation, his career is also noted for the controversial positions he held on a wide range of scientific issues, often in direct opposition to the prevailing theories supported by the majority of the scientific community. He spent most of his working life at the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge and served as its director for six years. He was a writer of science fiction, and co-authored twelve books with his son, Geoffrey Hoyle.