Compton, Karl Taylor

Compton, Karl Taylor

▪ American physicist
born Sept. 14, 1887, Wooster, Ohio, U.S.
died June 22, 1954, New York, N.Y.

      American educator and physicist who was closely associated with development of the atomic bomb.

      After obtaining his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1912, Compton (an older brother of the Nobel prizewinner Arthur Holly Compton) joined the faculty of Reed College, Portland, Ore., as a physics instructor. He later became assistant professor of physics at Princeton University. World War I interrupted his teaching and research, but he returned to Princeton, conducting research in fundamental problems in atomic physics and promoting development of the graduate program. In 1930 he was chosen president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he broadened and modernized the curriculum, adding classes in the humanities and social sciences. After resigning the presidency of MIT in 1948, Compton served as chairman of its corporation until 1954.

      Compton served on many governmental, academic, and industrial advisory bodies. He was chairman (1948–49) of the research and development board of the National Military Establishment (the precursor of the U.S. Department of Defense) and had been a member of several similar groups, including the Office of Scientific Research and Development (1941–47). In these positions, Compton, with his wide background in both research and administration, played an important role in development of the atomic bomb and radar.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Karl Taylor Compton — K. T. Compton Karl Taylor Compton (* 14. September 1887 in Wooster, Ohio; † 22. Juni 1954 in New York, N.Y.) war ein US amerikanischer Physiker. Er war der älteste Bruder des Physikers Arthur Holly Compton. Compton war maßgeblich an der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Karl Taylor Compton — Karl Compton Pour les articles homonymes, voir Compton. Karl Compton, 1940 Karl Taylor Compton (14 septembre 1887 – 22 juin 1954) était un physicien américain éminent. Il a notamment été présiden …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Karl Taylor Compton — (September 14, 1887 ndash; June 22, 1954) was a prominent American physicist and president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 1930 to 1948. The Early Years (1897 1912) Karl Taylor Compton was born in Wooster, Ohio, the eldest …   Wikipedia

  • Karl Taylor Compton — n. (1887 1954) American physicist …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Compton (surname) — Compton is a surname of English origin, and may refer to: Ann Compton, journalist Arthur Compton, physicist and Nobel Prize winner, of the Compton effect, brother of Karl Taylor Compton and Wilson Martindale Compton, below Barnes Compton,… …   Wikipedia

  • Compton — ist der Name mehrerer Orte in England: Compton (Berkshire) Compton (Plymouth) Compton (Surrey) Compton (Wiltshire) Compton (Wolverhampton) in den Vereinigten Staaten: Compton (Arkansas) Compton (Illinois) Compton (Kalifornien) Compton (Maryland)… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Compton — Compton1 [kämp′tən] 1. Arthur Holly [häl′ē] 1892 1962; U.S. physicist 2. Karl Taylor 1887 1954; U.S. physicist; brother of Arthur Compton2 [kämp′tən] [after G. D. Compton, a founder of the Univ. of S Calif.] city in SW Calif.: suburb of Los… …   English World dictionary

  • Karl Compton — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Compton. Karl Compton, 1940 Karl Taylor Compton (14 septembre 1887 – 22 juin 1954) était un physicien américain éminent. Il a notamment été président du MIT de 1930 à 1948. Il a réalisé d i …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Compton — /komp teuhn/, n. 1. Arthur Holly /hol ee/, 1892 1962, U.S. physicist: Nobel prize 1927. 2. his brother, Karl Taylor /kahrl/, 1887 1954, U.S. physicist. 3. Spencer, Earl of Wilmington, 1673? 1743, British statesman: prime minister 1742 43. 4. a… …   Universalium

  • Compton — I Compton   [ kʌmptən], Stadt in Kalifornien, USA, im südlichen Vorstadtbereich von Los Angeles, 90 500 Einwohner; Maschinenbau, Herstellung von Flugzeugteilen, chemische Industrie. II …   Universal-Lexikon

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