Scott E. Forbush

Biography

Abstract

Scott E. Forbush was Mathematical Physicist at the Carnegie Institution of Washington (1927-1969). Other institutional affiliations included the National Bureau of Standards and Ohio State University. His research interests included cosmic rays and solar cycles.

Important Dates

April 10, 1904Birth, Hudson (Ohio).

1925Obtained BS, Case Institute of Technology, Cleveland (Ohio).

1925 – 1926Assistant, Ohio State University.

1926 – 1927Junior Physicist, National Bureau of Standards.

1927 – 1969Observer (1927-1942) and Mathematical Physicist (1942-1969), Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington (D.C.).

1931 – 1932Took graduate physics and mathematics courses, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Md.).

1940 – 1944Civilian Researcher, Naval Ordinance Laboratory, United States Navy.

1944 – 1945Researcher, Office of Scientific Research and Development.

1951 – 1952Operations Research Office, Researcher, Johns Hopkins University.

1962Member, National Academy of Sciences.

April 4, 1984Death, Charlottesville (Va.).

Occupation

Geophysicist.

Places

Birth

Hudson (Ohio)

Undergraduate Education

Cleveland (Ohio)

Graduate Education

Baltimore (Md.)

Employment

Washington (D.C.)

Death

Charlottesville (Va.)

Subjects

Cosmic rays.

Forbush decreases.

Geomagnetism.

Geophysics.

Relationships

People

Colleagues

Abelson, Philip Hauge

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Berkner, Lloyd V. (Lloyd Viel), 1905-1967

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Breit, Gregory, 1899-1981

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Briggs, Lyman J. (Lyman James), 1874-1963

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Bush, Vannevar, 1890-1974

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Coblentz, William W. (William Weber), 1873-1962

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Dryden, Hugh L. (Hugh Latimer), 1898-1965

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Fleming, J. A. (John Adam), 1877-1956

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Foote, Paul D. (Paul Darwin), 1888-1971

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Hafstad, Lawrence, 1904-

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Laporte, Otto, 1902-1971

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Meggers, William F. (William Frederick), 1888-1966

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Tuve, Merle Antony, 1901-1982

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Van Allen, James A. (James Alfred), 1914-2006

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Vestine, E. H. (Ernest Harry), 1906-1968

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Wetherill, George West

Both employed at Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Institutions

Major Positions

Carnegie Institution of Washington. Department of Terrestrial Magnetism

Observer and Mathematical Physicist.

Johns Hopkins University. Operations Research Office

Researcher.

Ohio State University. Department of Physics

Assistant.

United States. National Bureau of Standards

Junior Physicist.

United States. Navy. Bureau of Ordnance

Civilian Researcher, Naval Ordinance Laboratory.

United States. Office of Scientific Research and Development

Researcher.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

Case Western Reserve University. Department of Physics

Obtained BS (1925).

Johns Hopkins University. Department of Physics

Took graduate physics and mathematics courses.

National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)

Member.

Resources

Published Resources

Author

Cosmic rays, the sun, and geomagnetism : the works of Scott E. Forbush / James A. van Allan, editor.

Subject

"Scott Ellsworth Forbush: 1904-1984", Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society

"Some Recollections of Experiences Associated with Cosmic-Ray Investigations," in Early History of Cosmic Ray Studies, ed. Yentaro Sekido and Harry Elliot (Boston: D. Reidel: 1985), 167-169

Scott Ellsworth Forbush Physics Today obituary.