William Frederick Meggers
Encyclopedia
William Frederick Meggers (July 13, 1888 – 1966) was an American physicist
specialising in spectroscopy
.
Born in Wisconsin
, he had to combine his early schooling with working on the family farm, but earned a scholarship to Ripon College
, receiving a bachelor's degree in Physics in 1910 and working as a research assistant. After a few years at the Carnegie Institute of Technology
in Pittsburgh
, in 1914 he joined the National Bureau of Standards
, and while working there earned his PhD from Johns Hopkins University
.
His work in spectrochemistry
is generally credited to have sparked interest in the field in the United States, leading to him being dubbed the Dean of American spectroscopists.
In 1947 he received the Frederic Ives Medal. He was awarded the Elliott Cresson Medal
in 1953. Since 1970, the Optical Society of America
has awarded the William F. Meggers Award for outstanding work in spectroscopy.
The crater Meggers
on the Moon
is named in his honor.
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...
specialising in spectroscopy
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. Historically, spectroscopy originated through the study of visible light dispersed according to its wavelength, e.g., by a prism. Later the concept was expanded greatly to comprise any interaction with radiative...
.
Born in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, he had to combine his early schooling with working on the family farm, but earned a scholarship to Ripon College
Ripon College (Wisconsin)
Ripon College is a liberal arts college in Ripon, Wisconsin, USA. It offers small class sizes and intensive mentoring to students. Ripon has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa--one of the nation's most prestigious honor societies. Alumni have high rates of success in the workforce as well as acceptance...
, receiving a bachelor's degree in Physics in 1910 and working as a research assistant. After a few years at the Carnegie Institute of Technology
Carnegie Institute of Technology
The Carnegie Institute of Technology , is the name for Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering. It was first called the Carnegie Technical Schools, or Carnegie Tech, when it was founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie who intended to build a “first class technical school” in Pittsburgh,...
in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, in 1914 he joined the National Bureau of Standards
National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology , known between 1901 and 1988 as the National Bureau of Standards , is a measurement standards laboratory, otherwise known as a National Metrological Institute , which is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce...
, and while working there earned his PhD from Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
.
His work in spectrochemistry
Spectrochemistry
Spectrochemistry is the application of spectroscopy in any of several fields of chemistry.It includes the analysis of spectra in chemical terms, and the use of spectra to derive the structure of chemical compounds, and to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze their presence in samples....
is generally credited to have sparked interest in the field in the United States, leading to him being dubbed the Dean of American spectroscopists.
In 1947 he received the Frederic Ives Medal. He was awarded the Elliott Cresson Medal
Elliott Cresson Medal
The Elliott Cresson Medal, also known as the Elliott Cresson Gold Medal, was the highest award given by the Franklin Institute. The award was established by Elliott Cresson, life member of the Franklin Institute, with $1,000 granted in 1848...
in 1953. Since 1970, 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...
has awarded the William F. Meggers Award for outstanding work in spectroscopy.
The crater Meggers
Meggers (crater)
Meggers is an impact crater that lies on the far side of the Moon. Nearby craters of note include Olcott to the southwest, and Innes and Seyfert farther away to the northwest. To the east lies Vernadskiy....
on the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
is named in his honor.