Kemble, Edwin C. (Edwin Crawford), 1889-

Physicist (band spectra, quantum theory, statistical mechanics). On the physics faculty at Harvard University from 1919, department chair, 1940-1945; chair of the physics section, National Academy of Sciences, 1945-1948.

Edwin Crawford Kemble (1889-1984), an American physicist, made contributions in several areas including band spectra, atomic structure, mathematics of quantum theory, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, analytical dynamics, theory of superchargers, and the philosophical aspects of quantum theory. In addition, he was deeply religious and concerned with the influence of science on religious ideas and on the central values of the Christian tradition. Kemble taught physics at Harvard from 1919 to 1960.

Died 1984.

Edwin Crawford Kemble (1889-1984), an American physicist, made contributions in several areas including band spectra, atomic structure, mathematics of quantum theory, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, analytical dynamics, theory of superchargers, and the philosophical aspects of quantum theory .  In addition, he was deeply religious and concerned with the influence of science on religious ideas and on the central values of the Christian tradition .

Kemble earned an S.B. from the Case School of Applied Science in 1911 and his A.M and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard in 1914 and 1917, respectively.  His dissertation on quantum theory was the first American doctoral thesis on theoretical physics.

In 1919 he returned to Harvard as an Instructor.  He introduced the first course on quantum theory to the Harvard physics curriculum .  He became a Professor in 1930 and chaired the Department of Physics from 1940-1945.  During this period, he was also director of physics instruction at Harvard for Army and Navy officer training programs and helped design torpedo propellers.  In 1950 he published Introduction to Physical Science, a volume written for his Natural Sciences 2 course.  By the time he retired from the department in 1957, his teaching had encompassed quantum theory, thermodynamics, analytical mechanics, statistical mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism, x-rays and crystal structure, and atomic physics.  From 1957 to 1960, he directed Harvard's institute for training high school science and math teachers .