Adrian V Stokes (25 June 1945 – 7 April 2020)[1] was a British computer scientist who was one of the founders of the internet including the first implementation of email in the UK.[2]
Stokes earned a BSc in Chemistry and a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry at University College London and he then went on to specialise in computer science.[3][1]
In 1973, whilst a research assistant at the Institute of Computer Science, University College London, Adrian was involved with a research team who were working on ARPANET, the experimental computer network of the United States Department of Defense. ARPANET became the Internet in the mid-1970s, and one of Adrian's responsibilities was the implementation of email in the UK.
Stokes had spina bifida.[3] He campaigned on behalf of people with disabilities for decades. He was the president of Disabled Motoring UK.[4]
Stokes was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to disabled people in 1983.[3]
Stokes was recognised as one of the founders of the internet with a plaque by Stanford University.[3]