Christian scientist John Polkinghorne dies at 90 JavaScript in your web browser. Please Christian scientist John Polkinghorne dies at 90 Christian scientist John Polkinghorne dies at 90 John Polkinghorne, an Anglican priest and respected theoretical physicist, has died at age 90. The news of his death was shared by Queens' College, Cambridge, England, where he served as president from 1988 to 1996. He remained an honorary fellow of the college until his death in Cambridge on March 10. Polkinghorne enjoyed a distinguished career at Cambridge University, having previously been a professor of mathematical physics from 1968 until 1979, when he resigned to study for the priesthood. He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1982, serving first as a curate in south Bristol before becoming a vicar in Blean, Kent. In 1986, he returned to Cambridge University as dean of chapel at Trinity Hall and president of Queens' College.