Short biography of Robert Lomas

Robert Lomas gained a first class honours degree in electrical engineering before being awarded a PhD for his research into solid state physics and crystalline structures. He later worked on electronic weapon systems and has always had a keen interest in observational astronomy and the history of science.

Whilst working at Huddersfield Polytechnic, in 1985, he published his first book. It was a textbook on statistical forecasting, a subject he maintains a professional interest in and still teaches to undergraduates at Bradford University School of Management.

In 1996 he teamed up with Chris Knight to write The Hiram Key. The success of this book encouraged Robert to develop his popular writing and he went on to co-author three further books in the Hiram Key series. The Hiram Key series website can be found at www.knight-lomas.com.

During this period, of co-authoring, Robert continued to write on his own. He published a well-received biography of the scientist Nikola Tesla, (a subject he regularly lectures about to branches of the Institute of Electrical Engineers and at Science Festivals). Robert is also a popular speaker at astronomy societies where he talks about archeoastronomy, the theory of horizon declinometers and Alexander Thom's work on the megalithic yard (including a popular practical demonstration of how to create one). He also gives talks about the physics of cometary impact and tsunamis (which he researched in depth whilst writing Uriel's Machine).

He also wrote a study of the politics of Stuart Freemasonry and its influence on the formation of the Royal Society, with the consequent development of modern experimental science. This also has been well received. Robert is frequently asked to speak in Masonic Lodges on the role of Brother Sir Robert Moray in bringing together scientists from both sides of the Civil War to help rebuild Charles II's navy.

His expertise in computing was put to good use in creating a database of old Masonic material, whilst researching The Invisible College. As a result of that work he made the complete text of Preston's Illustrations of Masonry available on the Inernet. Encouraged by the success of this venture he put the case to his University that it should allow him to create an electronic repository of the Masonic material held in the special collections. The Web of Hiram was the result. It is an ongoing project, as with each book he writes, Robert deposits the source material on the website, so that his readers can see the original sources for themselves.

Robert has had a long standing interest in the psychological effect of Masonic ritual on its participants and a few years ago joined The Lodge of Living Stones, in Leeds, which continues the work of W. L. Wilmshurst. His study of Wilmshurst's writings, combined with his own scientific studies of the emotional impact of neolithic symbols and his interest in the electrical effects on different states of consciousness encouraged him to questions how Freemasonry worked its ritual magic. The result of these thoughts is Turning the Hiram Key.

Robert currently lectures in Information Systems at Bradford University School of Management and is a leading exponent of internet-based distance learning and assessment. He teaches Statistics to undergraduates and is a tutor and facilitator on the MBA in Engineering Management.