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John Howard Purnell (born 1925 in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales, died 1996) was Professor of Physical Chemistry at University College, Swansea from 1965 until his retirement in 1992. His research focused on the kinetics of gas-phase reactions.

Early Life
Purnell was born on the 17th August 1925 in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales. He spent his younger childhood in Abercraft Swansea Valley and then his secondary education at Maes y Dderwen County School in Ystradgylais and Pentre Secondary School. He then went on to study at the University College, Cardiff where he achieved a First Class degree in Chemistry in 1947.

Career
After completing his undergraduate education, Purnell studied for a PhD at the University of Wales which he completed in 1952. In the same year he moved to Cambridge University where he worked under Professor R. G. W. Norrish.It was here where he became involved in gas chromatography. He remained at Cambridge University for 13 years and during this time published a book New Developments in Gas Chromatograph.