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

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Menzel died in 1976.

From the description of Autobiography, 1974. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 80630339

Donald Howard Menzel was an astrophysicist.

From the description of Papers concerning UFOs, 1952-1976. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122523365

From the description of Autobiography, September 1974. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122624215

From the guide to the Papers concerning UFOs, 1952-1976, 1952-1976, (American Philosophical Society)

From the guide to the Donald Howard Menzel autobiography, September 1974, 1974, (American Philosophical Society)

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.

From the description of Papers of Donald Howard Menzel, 1931-1986 (inclusive). (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 76973122

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-

From the description of Papers, 1924-1976. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83225186

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.

From the description of Illustrations for a book entitled Writing a technical paper, ca. 1960. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 77063899

From the description of Illustrations for a book entitled Writing a technical paper, ca. 1960. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 249201650

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.

From the guide to the Papers of Donald Howard Menzel, (inclusive), 1931-1986, (Harvard University Archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Olivier, Charles P. (Charles Pollard), b. 1884. Correspondence, 1915-1962. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Pettit, Edison, 1889-1962. Papers of Edison Pettit, 1920-1969. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Gaposchkin, Cecilia Helena Payne, 1900-. Oral history interview with Cecilia Helena Payne Gaposchkin, 1968 March 5. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Illustrations for a book entitled Writing a technical paper, ca. 1960. Harvard University Archives.
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Course notes for Astronomy 155, 1964-1965. Harvard University Archives.
creatorOf Papers concerning UFOs, 1952-1976, 1952-1976 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Records of the Director, 1863-1958 (inclusive). Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Bok, Bart J. (Bart Jan), 1906-1983. Oral history interview with Bart Jan Bok, 1978 May 15 to 14 June. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy records, 1953-1974. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Goldberg, Leo. Informal moments, International Astronomical Union General Assembly, Zurich, 1948 [motion picture] / photographed by Leo Goldberg. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Records of the High Altitude Observatory, 1941-1953 (inclusive). Harvard University Archives.
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Atomic and molecular spectra : Astronomy 206 course notes. Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Records, 1953-1974 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Illustrations for a book entitled Writing a technical paper, ca. 1960. Harvard University Archives.
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Papers, 1924-1976. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Harvard University. Dept. of Astronomy. Records of the Department of Astronomy, 1919-1984 (inclusive). Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Boulder Chamber of Commerce. Joint Commission on High Altitude Research : picnic photographs 1953 Aug. 24. Boulder Public Library
referencedIn Robert R. McMath Papers, 1916-1962 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Swope, Henrietta Hill, 1902-. Papers of Henrietta Hill Swope, 1923-1979. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Hawaii. Office of the Governor. Records of Governor John Burns, 1962-1974. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Condon, Edward Uhler, 1902-1974. Papers, ca. 1920-1974. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Struve, Otto, 1897-1963. Selected correspondence [microform], 1932-1945. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Hoffleit, Dorrit. Oral history interview with Ellen Dorrit Hoffleit, 1979 August 4. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Autobiography, 1974. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Astronomical geophysics : notes of a course presented in 1954 at Harvard College Observatory / by Dr. Menzel. 1954. Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Goldberg, Leo. Oral History interview with Leo Goldberg, 1983A, August 9 and October 10. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Goldberg, Leo. Oral history interview with Leo Goldberg, 1983, February 22. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Papers concerning UFOs, 1952-1976. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Donald Howard Menzel autobiography, September 1974, 1974 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Rohrlich, F. Correspondence, 1946-1955. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Roberts, Walter Orr. Oral history interview with Walter Orr Roberts, 1983, July 26. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Autobiography, September 1974. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Aarons, Jules. Oral History interview with Jules Aarons, 1983. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Philip J. Klass Collection, 1948-2000 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Mayall, Margaret W. (Margaret Walton). Oral History interview with Margaret W. Mayall, 1986 August 11 and September 12. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn John Archibald Wheeler Papers, 1880-2008, 1880-2008 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Charles P. (Charles Pollard) Olivier correspondence, 1915-1962, 1915-1962 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Wilson, Olin, C., 1909-1994. Oral history interview with Olin C. Wilson, 1978 July 11. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Gold, Thomas. Oral history interview with Thomas Gold, 1978 April 1. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Records from scientific conferences and meetings, 1910-1975 (inclusive). Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Niels Bohr Library. History of physics manuscript biography collection M-R, 1901-1989, [ca. ca. 1960]-1989 (bulk) Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Greenstein, Jesse L. (Jesse Leonard), 1909-2002. Oral history interview with Jesse Leonard Greenstein, 1974 July 31. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Bowen, Ira Sprague, 1898-1973. Correspondence to Bowen about gaseous nebulae, 1934. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Menzel, Donald Howard, 1901-. Illustrations for a book entitled Writing a technical paper, ca. 1960. Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Goldberg, Leo. Oral history interview with Leo Goldberg, 1978 May 16 to 1982. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Papers of Donald Howard Menzel, (inclusive), 1931-1986 Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Correspondence from the Office of the Director, 1926-1975 (inclusive), 1952-1966 (bulk). Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Edward U. Condon Papers, Circa 1920-1974 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Papers of Donald Howard Menzel, 1931-1986 (inclusive). Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Records of the Director, Donald H. Menzel, 1951-1969. Harvard University Archives.
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Astronomy 206 course notes. Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn King, Ivan R. Oral history interview with Ivan Robert King, 1977 July 18 and 20 July 1978. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Morse, Philip McCord papers Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Libraries
referencedIn Aller, Lawrence H. (Lawrence Hugh), 1913-2003. Oral history interview with Lawrence H. Aller, 1979 August 18. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Russell, Henry Norris, 1877-1957. Correspondence [microform], 1890-1950. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Menzel, Donald H. (Donald Howard), 1901-1976. Reference spectrum. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf McMath, Robert R. (Robert Raynolds), 1891-1962. Robert R. McMath papers, 1916-1962. Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aarons, Jules person
associatedWith Aller, Lawrence H. (Lawrence Hugh), 1913-2003. person
associatedWith Associated Universities for Research in Astronomy. corporateBody
associatedWith Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. corporateBody
associatedWith Bok, Bart J. (Bart Jan), 1906-1983. person
associatedWith Botley, Cicely M. person
associatedWith Botley, Cicely Mary person
associatedWith Boulder Chamber of Commerce. corporateBody
associatedWith Bowen, Ira Sprague, 1898-1973. person
associatedWith Boyd, Lyle G. person
associatedWith Boy Scouts of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Condon, Edward Uhler, 1902-1974. person
associatedWith Gaposchkin, Cecilia Helena Payne, 1900- person
associatedWith Gernsback, M. Harvey. person
associatedWith Goldberg, Leo. person
associatedWith Gold, Thomas. person
associatedWith Greenstein, Jesse L. (Jesse Leonard), 1909-2002. person
associatedWith Harvard College Observatory. corporateBody
associatedWith Harvard University corporateBody
associatedWith Harvard University. Dept. of Astronomy. corporateBody
associatedWith Harvard University. Dept. of Astronomy. corporateBody
associatedWith Harvard University. Dept. of Astronomy. corporateBody
associatedWith Hawaii. Office of the Governor. corporateBody
associatedWith High Altitude Observatory of Harvard University and University of Colorado. corporateBody
associatedWith Hoffleit, Dorrit. person
associatedWith Hynek, J. Allen (Joseph Allen), 1910- . person
associatedWith International Astronomical Union. corporateBody
associatedWith International Scientific Radio Union. corporateBody
associatedWith Iowa State University corporateBody
correspondedWith John F. Kennedy person
associatedWith Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963 person
associatedWith Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963. person
associatedWith Keyhoe, Donald E. (Donald Edward), 1897-. person
associatedWith King, Ivan R. person
associatedWith Klass, Philip J. person
associatedWith Lick Observatory. corporateBody
associatedWith Maney, Charles A. person
associatedWith Markowitz, William. person
associatedWith Mayall, Margaret W. (Margaret Walton) person
associatedWith McMath, Robert R. (Robert Raynolds), 1891-1962. person
associatedWith Menzel, Donald Howard, 1901- person
associatedWith Morse, Philip McCord, 1903-1985 person
associatedWith National Investigation Committee on Aerial Phenomena. corporateBody
associatedWith National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena. corporateBody
associatedWith Niels Bohr Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Ohio State University. corporateBody
associatedWith Olivier, Charles P. (Charles Pollard), b. 1884. person
associatedWith Pettit, Edison, 1889-1962. person
associatedWith Princeton University. corporateBody
associatedWith Project Blue Book. corporateBody
associatedWith Project Blue Book (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Quintanella, Hector person
associatedWith Quintanella, Hector. person
associatedWith Roberts, Walter Orr. person
associatedWith Rohrlich, F. person
associatedWith Russell, Henry Norris, 1877-1957. person
associatedWith Sagan, Carl, 1934-1996. person
associatedWith Schreibsten, Norman person
associatedWith Schreibsten, Norman. person
associatedWith Shapley, Harlow, 1885-1972. person
associatedWith Struve, Otto, 1897-1963. person
associatedWith Swope, Henrietta Hill, 1902-. person
associatedWith United States. Air Force. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Navy. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Denver. corporateBody
associatedWith Velikovsky, Immanuel, 1895-1979. person
associatedWith Wellman, Wade. person
associatedWith Wheeler, John Archibald, 1911-2008 person
associatedWith Wilson, Olin, C., 1909-1994. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Massachusetts--Cambridge
South Africa
United States
Massachusetts
South America
Subject
Astronomers
Astronomers
Astronomical observatories
Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Chemistry
Cryptography
Solar eclipses
Solar eclipses
Solar eclipses
Solar eclipses
Loyalty security program, 1947-
Mathematics
Meteors
Patents
Physicists
Physicists
Radar
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Submarines (Ships)
Unidentified flying objects
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World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
Astronomers
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Birth 1901-04-11

Death 1976-12-14

Americans

English

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