George R. Harrison
Encyclopedia
George Russell Harrison was an American
physicist
.
Harrison became Professor of Experimental Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) in 1930, and was appointed the school's Dean of Science in 1942; he also headed MIT's Spectroscopy Laboratory. During World War II
, he was chief of the Optics Division of the National Defense Research Committee
, and later head of the Office of Field Service of the Office of Scientific Research and Development
. He served as president of the Optical Society of America
from 1945-46 and was awarded the Frederic Ives Medal in 1949. He was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
in 1946 by President Harry Truman. He remained Dean of Science at MIT until his retirement in 1964.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
.
Harrison became Professor of Experimental Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(MIT) in 1930, and was appointed the school's Dean of Science in 1942; he also headed MIT's Spectroscopy Laboratory. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was chief of the Optics Division of the National Defense Research Committee
National Defense Research Committee
The National Defense Research Committee was an organization created "to coordinate, supervise, and conduct scientific research on the problems underlying the development, production, and use of mechanisms and devices of warfare" in the United States from June 27, 1940 until June 28, 1941...
, and later head of the Office of Field Service of the Office of Scientific Research and Development
Office of Scientific Research and Development
The Office of Scientific Research and Development was an agency of the United States federal government created to coordinate scientific research for military purposes during World War II. Arrangements were made for its creation during May 1941, and it was created formally by on June 28, 1941...
. He served as president of the Optical Society of America
Optical Society of America
The Optical Society is a scientific society dedicated to advancing the study of light—optics and photonics—in theory and application, by means of publishing, organizing conferences and exhibitions, partnership with industry, and education. The organization has members in more than 100 countries...
from 1945-46 and was awarded the Frederic Ives Medal in 1949. He was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
in 1946 by President Harry Truman. He remained Dean of Science at MIT until his retirement in 1964.
Sources
External links
- Articles Published by early OSA Presidents Journal of the Optical Society of America
See also
- Optical Society of America#Past Presidents of the OSA