Peter Rolfe Vaughan

Peter Rolfe Vaughan (born 10 March 1935; died 16 May 2008) was Emeritus Professor of Ground Engineering in the Geotechnics department of Imperial College London.

He graduated in 1956 and went to work for two years for Sandeman Kennard & Partners as an assistant engineer on the design of various dams in the north of England before returning to Imperial to do a diploma course in Soil Mechanics.

During this time he carried out extensive research in subjects such as the properties of weak rocks, stiff clays, residual and other structured soils.

He was an internationally recognised expert in the design and deterioration of earthworks and fills, embankment dams and natural or man-made slopes.

An example of his style is given in an article published in the Guardian on Wednesday 1 February 2006: "Much seems to depend on words; many people seem to think "reservoir" a rather unpleasant one, and Hattersley admits that he was one.