Professor Emeritus of Metallurgy and Materials Science; Director of Collegium Archaeometricum
University of Toronto
Franklin acquired her PhD in experimental physics from Technical University in Berlin, then joined Ontario Research Foundation as senior scientist. She has taught and researched extensively in the field of materials science and in the area of the social impact of technology. Much of her work has been done in conjunction with archaeologists on ancient materials. Franklin is a former member of the Science Council of Canada, and an officer of the Order of Canada. Recipient of Governor-General's Award in Commemoration of the Person's Case 1991; Companion of the Order of Canada 1992; Order of Ontario.
Franklin is a specialist in the structure of metals and alloys, she pioneered the development of archaeometry, which applies the modern technique of materials analysis to archaeology. She worked on gathering and analysing data on the strontium-90 accumulation in the teeth of children in Canada as a result of fallout from tests of nuclear weapons; the dating of bronze, copper, metal and ceramic artifacts of prehistoric cultures in Canada and elsewhere; and she has tried to educate society and scientists to the impact of science and technology on human survival and quality of life. She is a tireless advocate for Science for Peace. Her work has received worldwide recognition and brought her many honours. In 1984 Franklin became the first woman to be named a University Professor at U. of T.
Sources: Canadian Forum, excerpted from The Real World of Technology by CBC Enterprises, 1990; Canadian Who's Who, 1994; The Canadian Encyclopedia, 1988
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