Physics History Network
Over 1000 biographies of physicists and histories of institutions with information pertaining to their lives, careers, and research.
Tip: Search within this page by using Ctrl + F or ⌘ + F
Search Our Catalogs
Archives BooksCollections
Emilio Segré Visual Archives Digital Collections Oral Histories Archival Finding Aids Physics History Network Member Society Portals Ethical Cataloging StatementPreservation and Support
Donating Materials Suggest a Book Purchase Saving Archival Collections Grants to Archives Documentation Projects History NewslettersCenter for History of Physics
Scholarship & OutreachMain Navigation
HomeAboutTopic GuidesFeedbackTable of Contents
Biography
AbstractImportant DatesOccupationPlacesSubjectsRelationships
PeopleInstitutionsResources
Archival as AuthorPublished as SubjectL. Wolfenstein
Dates
February 10, 1923 – March 27, 2015
Authorized Form of Name
Wolfenstein, L. (Lincoln)
Additional Forms of Names
Wolfenstein, L. (Lincoln), 1923-
Wolfenstein, Lincoln
Biography
Abstract
Lincoln Wolfenstein was University Professor of Physics Emeritus at Carnegie Mellon University (2000-2015). His research interests included elementary particles, weak interactions, and neutrinos.
Important Dates
February 10, 1923Birth, Cleveland (Ohio).
1943Obtained BS, University of Chicago, Chicago (Ill.).
1944Obtained MS, University of Chicago, Chicago (Ill.).
1944 – 1946Physicist, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
1948 – 1967Instructor to Professor of Physics, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh (Pa.).
1949Obtained PhD in Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago (Ill.).
1964 – 1965National Science Foundation (NSF) Senior Fellow, European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
1967 – 2015Professor of Physics (1967-1978); University Professor of Physics (1978-2000); and University Professor of Physics Emeritus (2000-2015), Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh (Pa.).
1970 – 1971Visiting Professor, University of Michigan.
1974 – 1977Member, Physics Advisory Committee, National Science Foundation.
1978Member, National Academy of Sciences.
1988Fairchild Visiting Scholar, California Institute of Technology.
1992Awarded J. J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics, American Physical Society.
March 27, 2015Death, Oakland (Calif.).
Occupation
Theoretical particle physicist.
Places
Birth
Undergraduate Education
Graduate Education
Employment
Death
Subjects
Weak interactions (Nuclear physics).
Relationships
People
Family
Caplin, David, 1949-
Stepson.
Caplin, Donna, 1948-
Stepdaughter.
Caplin, Wilma Miller, 1919-
Second Wife. Married in 1957.
Mahler, Charlotte Anne
First Wife. Married 1944-1954.
Pizey, Mimi, 1964-
Daughter.
Tribe, Frances Anne, 1946-1997
Daughter.
Wolfenstein, Anna Koppel
Mother.
Wolfenstein, Julius, 1915-1930
Brother.
Wolfenstein, Leo
Father.
Wolfenstein, Leonard
Son.
Wolfenstein, Martha, 1911-1976
Sister.
Wolfenstein, Samuel
Brother.
Advisors & Collaborators
Schein, Marcel, 1902-1960
Graduate advisor at University of Chicago.
PhD advisor at University of Chicago, "Theory of proposed reactions involving polarized protons."
Colleagues
Both employed at Carnegie Institute of Technology.
Both employed at Carnegie Institute of Technology.
Griffiths, R. B. (Robert Budington)
Both employed at Carnegie-Mellon University.
Both employed at Carnegie Institute of Technology.
Both employed at Carnegie Institute of Technology.
Both employed at Carnegie Institute of Technology.
Both employed at Carnegie Institute of Technology.
Both employed at Carnegie Institute of Technology.
Both employed at Carnegie-Mellon University.
Both employed at Carnegie Institute of Technology.
Both employed at Carnegie-Mellon University.
Additional
Oppenheimer, J. Robert, 1904-1967
Institutions
Major Positions
California Institute of Technology. Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Fairchild Visiting Scholar.
Carnegie Institute of Technology. Department of Physics
Instructor to Professor of Physics.
Carnegie-Mellon University. Physics Department
Professor of Physics; University Professor of Physics; and University Professor of Physics Emeritus.
United States. National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
Physicist.
Professional Activities & Affiliations
Received 1992 J. J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics.
European Organization for Nuclear Research
National Science Foundation (NSF) Senior Fellow.
National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)
Member.
National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Member, Physics Advisory Committee.
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
University of Chicago. Department of Physics
Obtained BS (1943), MS (1944), and PhD (1949).
University of Michigan. Department of Physics
Visiting Professor.
University of Pittsburgh. Department of Physics
Resources
Archival Resources
Author
Aspen Center for Physics oral history interviews, 2004-2008.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Lincoln Wolfenstein, 1997 April 19.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Published Resources
Subject
Lincoln Wolfenstein Carnegie-Mellon obituary.
Lincoln Wolfenstein National Academy of Sciences Biographical Memoir.