Chorlton-on-Medlock in Manchester in Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Rutherford Building
A laboratory that changed the world
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 14, 2026
1. The Rutherford Building Marker
The first artificial nuclear reaction
The Nobel laureate Ernest Rutherford led the Physics Department in this building from 1907 to 1919. While here he developed a new model for the structure of the atom. His groundbreaking theory suggested that atoms were composed of a central nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.
While a professor at the University, Rutherford assembled a team of great minds who laid the foundation of nuclear physics, including Hans Geiger (co-inventor of the Geiger counter), George de Hevesy, Niels Bohr, Ernest Marsden and James Chadwick. Between 1914 and 1919, Rutherford and his colleagues conducted many experiments in which nitrogen and other light atoms were bombarded with alpha particles. In doing so, he became the first person in history to initiate an artificial nuclear reaction, often referred to as ‘splitting the atom’.
Nobel laureates
Two fellow Nobel laureates continued Rutherford’s work after his departure: William Lawrence Bragg, who with his father developed X-ray crystallography, and Patrick Blackett, a trailblazer in cosmic rays and geomagnetism whose work led to radio astronomy. Another leading figure was Bernard Lovell, a pioneer of radio astronomy who founded the Jodrell Bank Observatory (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
(Captions)
The Physics Department, 1912: Ernest Rutherford is seated in the centre of the second row; to his right is Arthur Schuster; Hans Geiger is seated on the left of the second row.
Hans Geiger and Ernest Rutherford in the 1900 laboratory.
The Rutherford Building was known as the Physical Laboratory when it opened in 1900.
Original ground floor plan for the building. The ‘private laboratory’ is where Rutherford conducted much of his research.
Erected by The
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 53° 27.958′ N, 2° 14.082′ W. Marker is in Manchester, England, in Greater Manchester. It is in Chorlton-on-Medlock. It is on Coupland Street west of Oxford Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 186 Oxford Road, Manchester, England M13 9GP, 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 (a few steps from this marker); Ernest Rutherford (a few steps from this marker); Alan Mathison Turing (within shouting distance of this marker); Coupland Building 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Lawrence Bragg
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 14, 2026
2. The Rutherford Building Marker
The marker is located on Coupland Street on the University campus.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 14, 2026
3. The Rutherford Building
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
