Inspirational professor scoops top city award

AN ACADEMIC who discovered the elusive Higgs boson particle has scooped the 2011 Edinburgh Award.

Professor Peter Higgs, renowned theoretical physicist and retired professor from the University of Edinburgh, will be presented with an engraved Loving Cup at a ceremony next year.

The scientist will also have a mould of his handprints taken, which will be engraved on a flagstone in the City Chambers quadrangle.

Lord Provost George Grubb said: “I am delighted to present this year’s award to Professor Peter Higgs, whose discovery of the Higgs boson has not only made him an international success, but has also significantly advanced the study of particle physics.”

Prof Higgs’ theory about the existence of the elusive boson particle directly influenced the production of the Large Hadron Collider, which was switched on three years ago at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva.