King was born on 14 February 1922, and attended Latymer Upper School before going up to Jesus College, Cambridge University, graduating in about 1942 with a first class honours degree in mathematics.
After obtaining a PhD from Imperial College, he became Chief Scientist at the Naval Construction Research Establishment, Rosyth.
Set up during World War II to carry out research on underwater explosions and the best structural design features to resist explosive damage, by the 1950s the Naval Construction Research Establishment was investigating structural strength issues for submarines, aircraft carriers, and floatings docks.
He expanded the department’s activities in vibration, and heat and mass transfer, as well as materials science (this latter work being supported by his former government employers).
In the year preceding King’s arrival at the university, a School of Engineering Science had been formed.