Fowler, William Alfred (Physicist, Nobel Laureate)
Dates
- Existence: 1911 - 1995
Biographical/Historical
Background: Professor of Physics, 1939-1982; Nobel Laureate in Physics, 1983; Caltech alumnus (PhD, 1936).
Biographical/Historical
Description: William A. Fowler was born in Lima, Ohio, and educated at Ohio State University and at Caltech. For much of his career, Fowler was the acknowledged leader in the research area of astrophysics. Fowler's work in nuclear physics began in the 1930s while working with Charles C. Lauritsen and, slightly later, with Fred Hoyle. In 1983, Fowler received the Nobel prize in physics, with Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, for his theoretical and experimental studies of nuclear reactions in the formation of the chemical elements in the universe. During World War II Fowler worked closely with C. C. Lauritsen on Caltech's rocket project for the US navy. In the postwar era, he was head of Project Vista, a study of strategic weapons.
Biographical/Historical
Collection Notes: Oral history, 1983-84; 1986. This 154 page interview covers a broad range of Fowler's professional activities and professional life. A 15-page supplemental oral history completed in 1986 provides further discussion of the climate at Caltech during World War II and the rocket project undertaken for the US navy.
Papers: 213 boxes, 94 linear feet. Papers cover personal and professional life during years 1917-1994. Extensive material from World War II and some coverage of Project Vista.
Photo of William A. Fowler at the Nobel banquet (PhotoNet)
Found in 36 Collections and/or Records:
Air Talk with Lee Browne, Pamela Fong, and William A. Fowler
AirTalk with Lee Browne, Pamela Fong, and William A. Fowler, 1989-05-24
Cloud chamber made by Willy Fowler
Electroscope, quartz fiber, Model 1
Fowler-DuBridge Joint Interview (Non-CIT) with Vernice Anderson
Fowler Photographs
William A. Fowler Papers
Interview of Jesse Greenstein by Kip Thorne
Interview of William Fowler by Kip Thorne
Interview of William Fowler by Kip Thorne
Papers of William A. Fowler, 1917-1994
Symposium On Nuclear Astrophysics: A Celebration Of Willy Fowler
The Case of the Missing Solar Neutrinos
The Case of the Missing Solar Neutrinos, 1978-03-29
Whoopee Willy: Photo Album
Whoopee Willy: Photo Album
Album made by Juliana Christy. Photos of student preparation for the celebration of Fowler's Nobel Prize.
William A. Fowler World War II Reprint Collection
Additional filters:
- Type
- Unprocessed Material 25
- Archival Object 8
- Digital Record 2
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Physics 21
- Nobel Prize 8
- AirTalk 4
- Astrophysics 4
- Kip Thorne Audio Collection 3
- Oral History 3
- Radio & TV 3
- Scientific Apparatus 3
- Manuscript Collection 2
- Memorial 2
- Watson Lecture 2
- World War II 2
- Administration 1
- Alumni Day 1
- Astronomy 1
- Astrophysicists--Archives 1
- Birthday 1
- Chemistry 1
- Cosmochronology 1
- Dinner 1 + ∧ less