The Autobiography of Light

This book brings to life one of the most fundamental entities in the universe: the electromagnetic waves that we perceive as light. With his gift for narrative, the author explains the nature of light and the long history of its influence on human ideas, technology and culture. From early efforts to understand vision and colours, through relativity and quantum theory, visual art and laser technology to the birth of stars and attempts to photograph their end, readers will come to appreciate the central role of light not only in human history, but also in the history of the cosmos. This grand tour ends in a flourish, with an epilogue written in the first person by the protagonist itself: a true Autobiography of Light.

All chapters in the book are relatively self-contained, allowing readers to dip freely in and out. What makes this captivating story so original is the effort made to point out the affinity between the study of light and achievements in the realm of culture.

GEORGE GRAMMATIKAKIS 1939-2023

Born in Heraklion, Crete, George Grammatikakis read Physics at the University of Athens before moving on to postgraduate work and research at Imperial College London, where he received his PhD in 1973. On returning to Greece he joined the staff at the Demokritos National Centre for Scientific Research, later working at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. He had a key role to play in organizing the newly founded University of Crete, where he was appointed professor of Physics, and subsequently professor emeritus. He was elected university chancellor for two terms (1990-1996), later going on to serve for four years as Chairman of the Governing Board at the University of the Ionian. Additionally, he participated in European Union international expert committees on education and research prospects.

His research interests centred on the structure of matter and cosmology, linking the microcosm to the macrocosm. As a visiting professor at Harvard University (1989-1990), he also worked on the history of science.

A versatile personality, he was a member of the Governing Board of the Greek Broadcasting Corporation, president of the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum on Crete and vice-president of the Greek National Opera. His belief both in bridging art and science and the importance of popularizing science found a range of outlets. These ranged from press articles to artistic events featuring science narratives, images and music (including acclaimed performances in Athens and Thessaloniki based on The Autobiography of Light). As well as editing and producing successful public television documentaries, he created an award-winning series based on his book Berenice’s Hair. The interrelationship between science, art and all manifestations of human culture permeated everything in his enduringly popular work, leading to multiple reprintings of his five books.

As an actively involved citizen with a genuine interest in people and public life, he was elected MEP in the 2014 European Parliament election, serving as a member of the Parliamentary Committee for Culture and Education, as well as the Committee for the Environment.

George Grammatikakis won numerous accolades and prizes in Greece, and was made a Knight of the Order of Academic Palms by the French Republic.