Hale, George Ellery, 1868-1938

George Ellery Hale was an astrophysicist. He was the organizer and director of the Mount Wilson Observatory of the Carnegie Institute of Washington, 1904-1923, and was honorary director until his death in 1938. His principal scientific researches were made in stellar spectroscopy.

Astronomer (spectroscopy, solar and stellar physics). On the astrophysics faculty at University of Chicago, 1892-1905; director, Yerkes Observatory, 1895-1905; and director, Mount Wilson Observatory, Carnegie Institution, 1904-1923.

Astronomer (spectroscopy, solar and stellar physics). On the astrophysics faculty at the University of Chicago, 1892-1905; director Yerkes Observatory, 1895-1905; and director, Mount Wilson Observatory, Carnegie Institution, 1904-1923.

Astrophysicist (stellar spectroscopy). Professor of astrophysics, University of Chicago and director, Yerkes Observatory, 1895-1905; founder and director of the Mount Wilson Observatory of the Carnegie Institute of Washington, 1904-1923.

George Ellery Hale, astronomer, was born in Chicago and educated at M.I.T., Harvard College Observatory, and the Univ. of Berlin. A specialist in solar and stellar spectroscopy, Hale organized the Kenwood Astrophysical Observatory for the Univ. of Chicago (and served as its director until 1896), where he also invented and developed the spectroheliograph, established the Astrophysical journal, and served as the director of the Yerkes Observatory. In 1904 Hale moved to Pasadena, California, where he organized the Mount Wilson Observatory, served as its director until 1923, and was instrumental in the construction of the 200-inch reflecting telescope at Mount Palomar. Hale received numerous awards and honors in the international scientific community and was a leading force in the cultural and scientific growth of the Pasadena area. He served on the original board of trustees of the Huntington Library.

Astrophysicist.

Biography

George Ellery Hale's papers reflect the wide diversity of his activities and accomplishments. Born in Chicago in 1868, he received his B.S. from M. I. T. in 1890. Active in the development of astrophysics, he quickly established a distinguished scientific reputation for his invention of the spectroheliograph. He made important contributions to the study of solar phenomena, organized and co-edited the Astrophysical Journal, and was the leading figure in the design, funding and construction of the Kenwood, Yerkes, Mount Wilson and Palomar Observatories.

Hale was also exceedingly energetic in the organization and promotion of the enterprise of science, both at home and abroad. In the United States he played a highly influential role in the National Academy of Sciences. He revivified the Academy almost single-handedly by organizing the National Research Council, obtaining substantial endowment for the NAS, and establishing the critically important National Research Council Fellowships. A founder of the International Union of Cooperation in Solar Research, Foreign Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences, and a frequent delegate to the International Association of Academies, he became deeply involved in the international relations of science before the First World War. Instrumental in the establishment of the International Research Council after the war, he was president of its successor, the International Council of Scientific Unions from 1931 to 1934.

Hale settled in Pasadena, California in 1904 to assume the duties of Director of the newly established Mount Wilson Observatory and became deeply involved in the educational and cultural affairs of the area. Among his most important efforts were the creation and development of the California Institute of Technology and the Huntington Library. The Hale collection provides an unusually complete record of his activities.