Proposing that Einstein's Theory of Relativity was one of the most important scientific discoveries of the last one hundred years has won Year 13 student Alistair Cree a place in the national final of the Historical Association's Great Debate competition.

 

Alistair (17) was given five minutes to present his case and then had to field questions from a three-strong panel of judges.

 

“I'm really a scientist, not an historian, so it was a bit of a surprise to win,” said Alistair, one of the school's 16 Oxbridge students and a member of its astronomy and science societies.

 

“Einstein's theory represented a huge, fundamental change in scientific thinking, making the observer key to the theory of relativity as opposed to Newton's clockwork universe. Its discovery has also been a catalyst for many other advances in the fields of science and technology.”

Alistair is planning to read natural science at Cambridge after taking A levels in physics, chemistry, maths and further maths this summer.

 

He will present his case to the jury at the final which takes place in University College London's Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre on March 8. The first prize includes cash, membership of the Historical Association and a one year subscription to BBC History Magazine.