Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard,), 1901-1976.

Menzel died in 1976.

Donald Howard Menzel was an astrophysicist.

Menzel (1901-1976) taught astronomy at Harvard, and was director of the Harvard College Observatory from 1952 to 1966. According to the National Academy of Science's Biographical Memoir, "Menzel was one of the first practitioners of theoretical astrophysics in the United States and pioneered the application of quantum mechanics to astronomical spectroscopy." His academic career began at the University of Denver where he earned AB and MA degrees. He earned his Ph. D. at Princeton. He first came to Harvard when Harlow Shapley employed him as a research assistant for three summers while he was studying at Princeton. He taught briefly at the University of Iowa and Ohio State until he received an appointment at Lick Observatory. He came to Harvard in 1932. World War II interrupted his teaching and research. He spent a year in administrative duties and teaching cryptanalysis, then joined the U.S. Navy. After the war, he returned to Harvard. In 1952, he began as acting director of the Harvard College Observatory, become permanent director after two years. Under his leadership, Harvard forged a relationship the Smithsonian Institution, which lead to the establishment of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Menzel (1901-1976). Astrophysicist. University of Denver: A.B.(1920), A.M.(1921), (hon.)Sc. D.(1954); Princeton University: A.M.(1923), Ph. D (1924); Harvard University: (hon.) A.M. (1942). Major affiliations: University of Iowa, 1924-1925; Ohio State University, 1925-1926; University of California, Berkeley, 1926-1932; Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., 1932-; Director, Harvard College Observatory, 1954-1966; research scientist, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 1966-

Donald Howard Menzel taught astronomy at Harvard and was director of the Harvard College observatory. He was a solar physicist, a pioneer in applying quantum mechanics to astrophysical problems, a world renowned expert on the sun and its corona, a witness to 18 eclipses and an administrator of two observatories. He was also a popularizer of astronomy, a UFO debunker, a science fiction author, and a respected informal artist. He received much praise from the scientific community for his exquisitely clear and prolific writing. He died in 1976.

Donald Howard Menzel (1901-1976) taught astronomy at Harvard, and was director of the Harvard College Observatory from 1952 to 1966. According to the National Academy of Sciences' Biographical Memoir, "Menzel was one of the first practitioners of theoretical astrophysics in the United States and pioneered the application of quantum mechanics to astronomical spectroscopy."

His academic career began at the University of Denver, where he earned AB and MA degrees. He earned his Ph.D. at Princeton. He first came to Harvard when Harlow Shapley employed him as a research assistant for three summers while he was studying at Princeton. He taught briefly at the University of Iowa and Ohio State until he received an appointment at Lick Observatory. He came to Harvard in 1932.

World War II interrupted his teaching and research. He spent a year in administrative duties and teaching cryptanalysis, then joined the U.S. Navy.

After the war, he returned to Harvard. In 1952, he began as acting director of the Harvard College Observatory, becoming permanent director after two years. Under his leadership, Harvard forged a relationship with the Smithsonian Institution, which lead to the establishment of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.