Chorlton-on-Medlock in Manchester in Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Ernest Lord Rutherford

1871–1937

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 14, 2026

1. Ernest Lord Rutherford Marker

Inscription. Langworthy Professor of Physics
University of Manchester
1907–1919
(In Coupland 1 Building)
Pioneer in nuclear physics
First to split the atom
Nobel Prize for
Chemistry 1908

Erected 2006 by The University of Manchester.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 53° 27.967′ N, 2° 14.036′ W. Marker is in Manchester, England, in Greater Manchester. It is in Chorlton-on-Medlock. It is at the intersection of Oxford Road and Coupland Street, on the left when traveling north on Oxford Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 188 Oxford Road, Manchester, England M13 9NR, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North West England.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Alison Uttley

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Rutherford Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Infected Blood Inquiry Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ernest Rutherford (within shouting distance of this marker); The University of Manchester World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The University of Manchester World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellen Wilkinson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whitworth Hall (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manchester.

Also see . . . Rutherford’s Legacy – the birth of nuclear physics in Manchester (University of Manchester).

In 1917, the Nobel Prize winner actually became the first person to create an artificial nuclear reaction in laboratories at the University. Rutherford’s discovery is now often described as ‘splitting the atom’ in popular accounts, but this should not be confused with the process of nuclear fission discovered later in the 1930s.

(Submitted on October 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Additional keywords. blue

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 14, 2026

2. Ernest Lord Rutherford Marker

The plaque is located at an archway leading to the University of Manchester campus.

plaque

The Rutherford Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 14, 2026

3. The Rutherford Building

The laboratory that was the site of the first artificial nuclear reaction.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on October 25, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 2, 3. submitted on October 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.