William E. Forsythe was born on 22 August 1881 in Muskington County, Ohio. He received his bachelors degree from Denison University

Denison University

Denison University is private, coeducational, and residential college of liberal arts and sciences founded in 1831. It is located in Granville, Ohio, United States, approximately 30 miles east of Columbus, the state capital...

 and went on to do his masters and PhD at the University of Wisconsin. He was awarded the honorary degree of doctor of science from Kenyon College

Kenyon College

Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio, founded in 1824 by Bishop Philander Chase of The Episcopal Church, in parallel with the Bexley Hall seminary. It is the oldest private college in Ohio...

 in 1926. In 1924 he was appointed Director of the Nela research lab in Cleveland. 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 associated with the Office of Scientific Research for Defense as well as the National Defense Research Council. He was elected member emeritus and fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society. 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 1926 to 1927.

External links

• Articles Published by early OSA Presidents Journal of the Optical Society of America