James Frank Arthur John Lord

James Frank Arthur John Lord is a Professor of History of Science at University College London and previously held positions at the Royal Institution, where he served as Professor, Reader, Lecturer, and Research Fellow. His research focuses on 19th-century science, particularly figures like Michael Faraday and Humphry Davy, and the societal impact of scientific knowledge. He earned a PhD from Imperial College London in 1981 with a thesis on spectroscopy and astrophysics. Lord has led major organizations including the British Society for the History of Science and chairs the National Organising Committee for the XXIVth International Congress for the History of Science.

His honors include Fellowship of the Royal Astronomical Society and membership in prestigious academies like the Académie Internationale d’Histoire des Sciences. He has authored seminal works including the six-volume Correspondence of Michael Faraday and edited volumes exploring science's intersection with art and culture. Current projects involve biographical studies of Rupert Hall and Marie Boas Hall.

Lord has held visiting roles at institutions worldwide, including the University of São Paulo. His work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary debates about science’s role in societal progress, emphasizing practical applications of laboratory knowledge.