Robert Bruce Lindsay
Encyclopedia
Robert Bruce Lindsay was an American
physicist
and physics
professor, known for his prolific authorship of physics books in acoustics
, and historical and philosophical analyses of physics
.
. Before receiving his Ph.D. for atomic models of alkali metals from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
in 1924, he spent the 1922-23 academic year as a Fellow of The American-Scandinavian Foundation
at the University of Copenhagen
under Niels Bohr
and Hans Kramers. Lindsay and his wife Rachel translated Kramers’ book, The Atom and the Bohr Theory of its Structure, in 1923, receiving approximately $125, on which they toured Europe. Lindsay went to Yale University
in 1923 as instructor in physics, and was promoted to assistant professor in 1927. He returned to Brown
in 1930 as associate professor of theoretical physics, and was named Hazard Professor of Physics in 1936. He acted as chairman of the Physics Department at Brown
from 1934 until he became dean of the Graduate School in 1954. Lindsay received the ASA Gold Medal
in 1962, before retiring as dean of the Graduate School in 1966 and from teaching in 1970. He died March 2, 1985 in Newport, Rhode Island
.
since 1942.
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...
and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
professor, known for his prolific authorship of physics books in acoustics
Acoustics
Acoustics is the interdisciplinary science that deals with the study of all mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids including vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound. A scientist who works in the field of acoustics is an acoustician while someone working in the field of acoustics...
, and historical and philosophical analyses of physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
.
Biography
R(obert) Bruce Lindsay's January 1, 1900 birth date hailed a new century. At the age of 20, he received both a BA and an MS in physics from Brown UniversityBrown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
. Before receiving his Ph.D. for atomic models of alkali metals from 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...
in 1924, he spent the 1922-23 academic year as a Fellow of The American-Scandinavian Foundation
The American-Scandinavian Foundation
The American-Scandinavian Foundation, is an American non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting international understanding through educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden...
at the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
under Niels Bohr
Niels Bohr
Niels Henrik David Bohr was a Danish physicist who made foundational contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum mechanics, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922. Bohr mentored and collaborated with many of the top physicists of the century at his institute in...
and Hans Kramers. Lindsay and his wife Rachel translated Kramers’ book, The Atom and the Bohr Theory of its Structure, in 1923, receiving approximately $125, on which they toured Europe. Lindsay went to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1923 as instructor in physics, and was promoted to assistant professor in 1927. He returned to Brown
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1930 as associate professor of theoretical physics, and was named Hazard Professor of Physics in 1936. He acted as chairman of the Physics Department at Brown
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
from 1934 until he became dean of the Graduate School in 1954. Lindsay received the ASA Gold Medal
ASA Gold Medal
The ASA Gold Medal is an annual award presented by the Acoustical Society of America to individuals in recognition of outstanding contributions to acoustics. The Gold Medal was first presented in 1954 and is the highest award of the ASA. Past recipients, which include the Nobel Laureate Georg...
in 1962, before retiring as dean of the Graduate School in 1966 and from teaching in 1970. He died March 2, 1985 in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
.
Scientific contributions
A specialist in acoustics, particularly underwater sound, Lindsay’s career began in experimental physics, but eventually focused on the creation of thought-provoking physics books and courses. His innovative courses, such as “The Role of Science in Civilization” and “Energy and Man”, went beyond mere technical knowledge. Most of Lindsay’s books were reprinted multiple times, and many remain in print. He is the namesake of the prestigious R. Bruce Lindsay Award, presented by the Acoustical Society of AmericaAcoustical Society of America
The Acoustical Society of America is an international scientific society dedicated to increasing and diffusing the knowledge of acoustics and its practical applications.-History:...
since 1942.
Books
- George W. Stewart & Robert Bruce Lindsay, Acoustics: A Text on Theory and Applications, 368pp. (1930) (ASIN B0019ADTDA). [Reprint Stewart Press (2007) (ISBN 978-1406750119)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Physical Mechanics: An Intermediate Text for Students of the Physical Sciences (University Physics Series), Van Nostrand, 451pp. (1933) (ASIN B000MXV9OG, B0007GWH0S) [Reprint Van Nostrand, 480pp. (1961) (ISBN 978-0442047955)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay & Henry Margenau, Foundations of Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 542pp. (1936) (ASIN B000H1ITV4). Reprint Dover Publications (1957) (ISBN 978-0486603773) & Ox Bow Press (1981) (ISBN 978-0918024176, ISBN 978-0918024183)
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, General Physics for Students of Science, John Wiley & Sons (1940) (ASIN B0006AOTLU). [Reprint Chapman & Hall (1940) (ASIN B000OKBA82)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Introduction to Physical Statistics, John Wiley & Sons, 306pp. (1941) (ASIN B0007G0BCE). [Reprint Dover Publications (1968) (ISBN 978-0486618821)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Student's Handbook of Elementary Physics, Dryden Press (1943) (ASIN B0006AQ1XY).
- John William Strutt (Lord Rayleigh) & Robert Bruce Lindsay, Theory of Sound, 2V, Dover Publishing (1945) (ASIN B000P7O6IK). [Reprint Dover Publishing (1976) (ISBN 978-0486602929)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Concepts and Methods of Theoretical Physics, Van Nostrand, 515pp. (1951) (ASIN B0014KSH8C, B0000EGNM9). [Reprint Dover Publishing (1970) (ISBN 978-0486623542), Japanese translation (1957)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Mechanical Radiation, McGraw Hill, 415pp. (1960) (ASIN B0006AW5E8).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, The Role of Science in Civilization, Harper & Row, 318pp. (1963). [Reprint Greenwood Publishing Group (1973) (ISBN 978-0837168371)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, The Nature of Physics: A Physicist's Views on the History and Philosophy of his Science, Brown University Press, 212pp. (1968) (ASIN B000NZZJ9E, B00104FWZS, B000UW0N0K). [Reprint University Press of New England (ISBN 978-0870571077)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Julius Robert Mayer, Prophet of Energy (Men of Physics Series), Pergamon Press, 238pp. (1970) (ASIN B0006C3Z6I). [Reprint Elsevior, 244pp. (ISBN 978-0080169859)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Basic Concepts of Physics, Van Nostrand, 608pp. (1971) (ISBN 978-0442247973). [Reprint Van Nostrand, 464pp. (ISBN 978-0442781729)]
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Acoustics: Historical and Philosophical Development (Benchmark Papers in Acoustics, V1), Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, 480pp. (1973) (ISBN 978-0879330156).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Physical Acoustics (Benchmark Papers in Acoustics, V4), Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, 480pp. (1974) (ISBN 978-0879330408).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Energy (Benchmark Papers on Energy, V1), John Wiley & Sons, 384pp. (1976) (ISBN 978-0470538814).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Applications of Energy: Nineteenth Century (Benchmark Papers on Energy, V2), John Wiley & Sons, 432pp. (1976) (ISBN 978-0470151402).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Coal (Benchmark Papers on Energy, V3), Halsted Press, 400pp. (1976) (ISBN 978-0879332198).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Benchmark Papers on Energy, V5), Halsted Press, 329pp. (1976) (ISBN 978-0879332426).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, The Control of Energy (Benchmark Papers on Energy, V6), Halsted Press, 404pp. (1977) (ISBN 978-0879332921).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Early Concepts of Energy in Atomic Physics (Benchmark Papers on Energy, V7), Stroudsburg, Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, 329pp. (1979) (ASIN B000OUUR2M).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, ed. Mechanical, Thermal, and Chemical Storage of Energy (Benchmark Papers on Energy), Academic Press, 379pp. (1981) (ISBN 978-0879333928).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, ed. Electrochemical, Electrical, and Magnetic Storage of Energy (Benchmark Papers on Energy), Academic Press, 350pp. (1981) (ISBN 978-0879333768).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Energy in Atomic Physics, 1925-1960 (Benchmark Papers on Energy), Van Nostrand Reinhold, 381pp. (1983) (ISBN 978-0879330750).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Oral history interview with Robert Bruce Lindsay (May 6 & July 9, 1964).
- Robert Bruce Lindsay, Intellectual autobiography of R. Bruce Lindsay.
Scientific Papers
- R. B. Lindsay, “The Carbon Atom Model and the Structure of Diamond”, Physical Review, S2, V29, N4, pp. 497–509 (1927).
- R. B. Lindsay, “High Frequency Sound Radiation from a Diaphragm”, Physical Review, S2, V32, N3, pp. 515–519 (1928).
- R. B. Lindsay, “Note on the Theory of Acoustic Wave Filters”, Physical Review, S2,, V34, N4, pp. 652–655 (1929).
- R. B. Lindsay, “Connectors in Acoustical Conduits”, Physical Review, S2, V34, N5, pp. 808–816 (1929).
- R. B. Lindsay, “A Canonical Transformation and the Vibrations of a Loaded String”, Physical Review, S2, V38, N3, pp. 491–500 (1931).
- W. S. Wilson & R. B. Lindsay, “Atomic Wave Functions for Some Excited States of Helium”, Physical Review, S2, V47, N9, pp. 681–686 (1935).
- R. B. Lindsay, “Finite Acoustic Filters”, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, V8, N4, pp. 211–216 (1937).