Dennison, David M. (David Mathias), 1900-1976

Professor of physics at the University of Michigan.

Died 1976.

Dennison died in 1976.

David Mathias Dennison was born in Oberlin, Ohio, in 1900 to Walter Dennison and Anna L. Green. He attended Swarthmore College and graduated with a BA in 1921 before starting graduate work at the University of Michigan. In 1924 Dennison received his Ph. D. from Michigan, married his wife Helen Lenette Johnson, and began a three-year study of physics in Europe. While studying at Cambridge, Dennison began theoretical work on the heat and temperature of hydrogen with his experiments yielding some of the first quantitative evidence for nuclear spin.

After returning to the United States in 1927 Dennison joined the University of Michigan’s Physics Department as part of a number of new hires with a background in theoretical physics; he was made a full professor in 1935. While working at Michigan, Dennison began to diversify his interest in physics making important discoveries about microwave spectroscopy, and the stability of particle orbits in the racetrack synchrotron. His work on the performance of the radio proximity fuse during World War II earned him a Certificate for Exceptional Service from the United States Navy. In addition Dennison helped organize and participated in international symposia of physicists held during the summer at the University of Michigan from 1929 to 1940.

During his 44 years at the University of Michigan Dennison earned many honors. In 1952 he was selected as the Henry Russel Lecturer, a high honor bestowed on senior faculty, he received a distinguished faculty award in 1962, and was appointed the Harrison M. Randall Distinguished Faculty Professor in 1966. Dennison retired in 1971. His important contributions to science and his dedication to the University of Michigan lead to the renaming of the Physics-Astronomy Building on the university campus to the David M. Dennison Building following his death in 1976.