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Table of Contents

Biography

AbstractImportant DatesOccupationPlacesSubjects

Relationships

PeopleInstitutions

William B. McLean

Photo

Dates

May 21, 1914 – August 25, 1976

Authorized Form of Name

McLean, William B. (William Burdette), 1914-1976

Biography

Abstract

William McLean was Technical Director of the United States Navy's Naval Oversea Reserch and Development Center (1967-1974). Other institutional affiliations include the National Bureau of Standards and the University of Iowa. He spent most of his career working as a researcher and director at the Naval Ordnance Test Station.

Important Dates

May 21, 1914Birth, Portland (Or.).

1935Obtained BS in Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (Calif.).

1937Obtained MS in Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (Calif.).

1939Obtained PhD in Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (Calif.).

1939 – 1941Research Associate, University of Iowa.

1941 – 1945Research Physicist, National Bureau of Standards.

1945 – 1967Research Physicist; Head, Aviation Ordnance Department; and Tehnical Director, Naval Ordnance Test Station, United States Navy, Ridgecrest (Calif.).

1964 – 1968Member, Military Aircraft Panel, President's Science Advisory Committee (PSAC).

1967 – 1974Technical Director, Naval Undersea Research and Development Center, United States Navy, San Diego (Calif.).

1973Member, National Academy of Sciences.

August 25, 1976Death, San Diego (Calif.).

Occupation

Nuclear physicist.

Places

Birth

Portland (Or.)

Undergraduate Education

Pasadena (Calif.)

Graduate Education

Pasadena (Calif.)

Employment

Ridgecrest (Calif.)

San Diego (Calif.)

Death

San Diego (Calif.)

Subjects

Nuclear physics.

Scientific instruments.

Scientists in government.

Weapons industry.

Relationships

People

Family

McLean, LaVerne Jones

Wife.

Colleagues

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

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

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

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Condon, Edward Uhler, 1902-1974

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

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

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Hofstadter, Robert, 1915-1990

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Klebanoff, P. S.

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Lauritsen, Thomas, 1915-1973

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

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

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Neddermeyer, Seth H. (Seth Henry), 1907-1988

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Schubauer, Galen B. (Galen Brandt), 1904-

Both employed at the National Bureau of Standards.

Institutions

Major Positions

Naval Ordnance Test Station (Inyokern, Calif.)

Research Physicist; Head, Aviation Ordnance Department; and Technical Director.

Naval Undersea Research and Development Center

Technical Director.

United States. National Bureau of Standards

Research Physicist.

University of Iowa. Department of Physics and Astronomy

Research Associate.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

California Institute of Technology. Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy

Obtained BS (1935), MS (1937), and PhD (1939).

National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)

Member.

United States. President's Science Advisory Committee

Member, Military Aircraft Panel.

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