Prof. Portevin
France 

The Portevin Lecture is the introductory Lecture of the IIW International Conference held every odd year in connexion with the IIW Annual Assembly.

Professor Portevin was an outstanding research worker in most areas of metallurgy. He was the author of a large number of important papers, had had a distinguished career as a teacher, particularly in the direction of the French Ecole Supérieure de Soudure Autogène which, during the 1930s, led the world in the teaching of welding technology at post-graduate level. In 1941 he became President of the French Institut de Soudure and in 1942 was elected to the French Academy of Science of which he subsequently became President. In addition his work had been recognized by numerous learned societies and universities outside France.
Professor Portevin's support for the foundation of the IIW conferred upon it, particularly among the older generation of metallurgists and engineers, an intellectual status which it might otherwise have lacked in its formative years. In 1948, he accepted the invitation to be one of its first Vice-Presidents and, as such, played a leading role in the development of the Institute's early policies. On the expiry of his term of office the Governing Council expressed its appreciation of his contribution by giving him a seat for life on the Executive Council with the title of Founder Vice-President. As such he continued to play an active part in the direction of the IIW until his death in 1962.

Professor Portevin was the rare combination of scientist and man of letters. His scientific training and activities together with his extensive knowledge of classical literature enabled him to express himself, both in writing and orally, with a lucidity, economy and precision which ensured his success as a teacher, an advocate of the policies in which he believed and as a witty conversationalist and raconteur.