TRIBUTES have been paid after the death last week of a leading scientist whose talents took him from Lancashire to Cambridge University. Brian Hartley, born in Rawtenstall in 1926, was best known as a biochemist at the famous university, where his research took him to the very top of his profession, from earning a PhD to joining the Royal Society. Along the way, Mr Hartley had a huge influence on generations of scientists who learned their craft under his tutelage and who have described him as "truly brilliant and inspirational." Brother Gordon, 90, said: "Since he died, we've had messages coming from all across the scientific community because he was regarded as being a very great man in that."