Frederick Alexander Macmillan (born 1927) is a

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engineer best known for the Macmillan Correction, the most widely used mathematical correction to account for errors in the calculation of velocity of an object moving along a gradient due to viscous effects and wall proximity. Originally from

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, Macmillan received a

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degree in

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in 1950 from

Queen's University Queen's or Queens University may refer to: * Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario, Canada *Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK ** Queen's University of Belfast (UK Parliament constituency) (1918–1950) **Queen's University of Belfa ...

. He later attended the

University of Cambridge , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

from 1952 to 1955, where he was a member of

Gonville and Caius College Gonville and Caius College, often referred to simply as Caius ( ), is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1348, it is the fourth-oldest of the University of Cambridge's 31 colleges and one of t ...

, and earned a

Master of Science A Master of Science ( la, Magisterii Scientiae; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree. In contrast ...

degree. During his studies, he published several papers: in the ''

Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society The Royal Aeronautical Society, also known as the RAeS, is a British multi-disciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community. Founded in 1866, it is the oldest aeronautical society in the world. Members, Fellows, ...

'', "Viscous effects on

Pitot tube A pitot ( ) tube (pitot probe) measures fluid flow velocity. It was invented by a French engineer, Henri Pitot, in the early 18th century, and was modified to its modern form in the mid-19th century by a French scientist, Henry Darcy. It ...

s at low speeds"; in the ''Aeronautical Journal'', "Viscous effects on flattened Pitot tubes at low speeds"; and in the ''Journal of Scientific Instruments'', "Liquid manometers with high sensitivity and small time-lag". Following completion of his degree, Macmillan took employment helping development of the

AIM-7 Sparrow The AIM-7 Sparrow (Air Intercept Missile) is an American, medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps, as well as other various air forces ...

in California. By the early 1960s he had left the aeronautical industry and moved to Ontario where he began working in the pulp and paper sector. Upon his retirement he moved to British Columbia. In 2004, while

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at his home, Macmillan learned for the first time that the papers he had published a half-century before had been cited hundreds of times in the decades past and elements of them were now being referred to as the "Macmillan Correction" in scientific publications. Upon learning this, Macmillan contacted

Dame Ann Dowling Dame Ann Patricia Dowling (born 15 July 1952) is a British mechanical engineer who researches combustion, acoustics and vibration, focusing on efficient, low-emission combustion and reduced road vehicle and aircraft noise. Dowling is a Deput ...

, chair of fluid mechanics at the University of Cambridge. Dowling suggested Macmillan apply for a Doctor of Philosophy degree by Special Regulation, a special procedure by which a holder of a lower degree at the university can be awarded a doctorate by documenting a contribution to human knowledge in lieu of a dissertation. In consideration of Macmillan's then-advanced age, special dispensation was granted to conduct his

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via telephone. He was made

Doctor of Philosophy by publication A Doctor of Philosophy by publication (also known as a Ph.D. by Published Work, PhD by portfolio or Ph.D. under Special Regulation) is a manner of awarding a Ph.D. degree offered by some universities in which a series of articles usually with a com ...

on July 20, 2009, at

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Macmillan, Alexander Canadian engineers Alumni of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge 1920s births Possibly living people