William Nicholas Hitchon

William Nicholas Guy Hitchon, commonly known as Nick Hitchon, was a nuclear fusion scientist and professor at the University of Wisconsin.

Early life and education

Hitchon was born in Skipton, West Riding of Yorkshire, the eldest of three sons to Iona and Guy Hitchon. He was educated at Ermysted's Grammar School, Skipton, from 1968 to 1975. Later, he earned a bachelor's and master's degree in physics from Oxford University and a D.Phil. in engineering science from the same university.

Career

In 1964, Hitchon was featured as a child in the Seven Up! documentary for ITV's World in Action series. His life was revisited at seven-year intervals in subsequent episodes by director Michael Apted until 2019.
In 1982, Hitchon joined the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in the department of electrical and computer engineering. He became a professor in 1994 and served as the department chair from 1999 to 2002. In 2022, he took retirement. During his tenure, he authored three books.

Personal life

Hitchon was married twice. His first marriage, in 1979, was to Jacqui Bush, who accompanied him when he moved to the United States, and with whom he had a son, but from whom he was later divorced. His second marriage, in 2001, was to Cryss Brunner.