Thomas Ranken Lyle

Thomas Ranken Lyle
Sir Thomas Lyle F.R.S.
BornThomas Ranken Lyle
(1860-08-26)26 August 1860
Died31 March 1944(1944-03-31) (aged 83)
South Yarra, Australia
UniversityTrinity College, Dublin
Notable relativeDame Mary Herring (daughter)
OccupationMathematical physicist
Rugby union career
Position Forward
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
188x–188x Dublin University
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1885–1887 Ireland 5 (0)

Sir Thomas Ranken Lyle FRS (26 August 1860 – 31 March 1944) was an Irish-Australian mathematical physicist, radiologist, educator, and rugby player.

Lyle was born and educated in Ireland before emigrating to Australia to take up a professorship at the University of Melbourne. There he was a pioneer in the use of X-rays as a medical tool. The Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal is awarded in his name to honour Australian achievements in Physics and Mathematics.

In his earlier years in Ireland he was a rugby union forward of some note, who played club rugby for Dublin University and international rugby for Ireland.