Korff, Serge A. (Serge Alexander), 1906-1989

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Physicist and educator. Born in Helsingfors, Finland, in 1906; immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1917 and became a citizen in 1927. Attended Princeton (A.B. 1928, M.A. 1929, Ph.D. 1931). Between 1932 and 1940, completed research fellowships at the Mt. Wilson Observatory, the California Institute of Technology, the Carnegie Institute of Washington, and the Bartol Research Foundation. In collaboration with other physicists, investigated topics such as optical dispersion, proportional counters and neutron measurements in cosmic radiation.

Professor of physics at New York University 1941-1972. Trained several generations of students, taking many on research expeditions as far away as the North Pole and the South Seas. Active in the international scientific community. Compiled the report of the Joint Commission on High Altitude Research for ICSU-UNESCO; served on the Cosmic Ray Technical Panel for the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58; organized the pole to pole Rockwell Scientific Round-the-World Flight in 1965; and encouraged and secured support for scientific efforts around the world, particularly in Central and South America.

Notable among his numerous professional affiliations were his terms as president of the Explorer's Club (1955-1958); the American Geographical Society (1966-1971); and New York Academy of Science (1972).

From the description of Papers, 1928-1989. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 477254038

Sergei Alexander Korff was born in Helsingfors, Finland, in 1906. Immigrating to the United States with his family in 1917, he became a citizen in 1927. Korff attended Princeton receiving his A.B. in 1928, M.A. in 1929 and Ph.D. in 1931. Between 1932 and 1940, he completed research fellowships at the Mt. Wilson Observatory, the California Institute of Technology, the Carnegie Institute of Washington, and the Bartol Research Foundation. Collaborating with eminent physicists in his early work, Korff investigated topics such as optical dispersion, proportional counters and neutron measurements in cosmic radiation. Korff began his tenure at New York University in 1941, and continued there until his death in 1989. He helped train at least three generations of students, taking many on research expeditions as far away as the North Pole and the South Seas.

In addition to his teaching and research, Korff lent his efforts to the international scientific community. He compiled the report of the Joint Commission on High Altitude Research for ICSU-UNESCO; served on the Cosmic Ray Technical Panel for the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58; organized the pole-to-pole Rockwell Scientific Round-the-World Flight in 1965; and encouraged and secured support for scientific work around the world, particularly in Central and South America. Notable among his numerous professional affiliations were his terms as president of the Explorer's Club (1955-1958); the American Geographical Society (1966-1971); and New York Academy of Science (1972). For his efforts to transfer surplus scientific equipment to the decimated laboratories of France after World War II, in 1952 Korff was decorated Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. For the contribution of his radiation detection devices to the study of cancer, he was awarded the Curie Medal of the International Union Against Cancer.

Korff's Counter Project and Cosmic Ray Project attracted numerous students to NYU; many later achieved prominence as physicists. The project also brought the university substantial funding from government agencies, such as the National Air and Space Agency and the National Science Foundation. Author of over 150 scientific papers and books, as well as a number of works on exploration, geology and stamps, Korff's contributions to science went beyond the study of cosmic rays. His ability to render complex scientific issues exciting and clear to the general public in encyclopedia and newspaper articles, and to expose the subtleties of science to his students and peers, marked Korff as an outstanding figure in 20th century physics.

From the guide to the Serge A. Korff Papers, 1928-1989, (New York University Archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Serge A. Korff Papers, 1928-1989 New York University. Archives
creatorOf Korff, Serge A. (Serge Alexander), 1906-1989. Cosmic ray neutrons: paper prepared at request of Y. Sekido of the University of Nagoya, Japan, [ca. 1980]. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn William Francis Gray Swann Papers, 1903-1962 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Korff, Serge Alexander, 1906-. Papers, 1928-1989. Churchill County Museum
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Geographical Society of New York. corporateBody
associatedWith Cosmic Ray Technical Panel. corporateBody
associatedWith David, William O. person
associatedWith David, William O. person
memberOf Explorers Club corporateBody
associatedWith Explorers Club. corporateBody
associatedWith Joint Commission on High Altitude Research. corporateBody
associatedWith Libby, Leona Marshal, 1919- person
associatedWith Libby, Leona Marshall, 1919- person
associatedWith Libby, Willard F. person
associatedWith Libby, Willard F. person
associatedWith Mendell, Rosalind B. person
associatedWith New York Academy of Sciences. corporateBody
associatedWith New York University. Dept. of Physics. corporateBody
associatedWith New York University. Dept. of Physics. person
associatedWith Sandoval Vallarta, Manuel. person
associatedWith Sandoval Vallarta, Manuel. person
associatedWith Swann, William F. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)
United States
Subject
Atmosphere physics
Cosmic physics
Cosmic ray neutrons
Cosmic rays
Dispension
Dispersion
Physics
Physics
Physics
Physics
Proportional counters
Radiation
Science
Occupation
Educators
Physicists
Activity

Person

Birth 1906

Death 1989-12-01

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