Herbert Callen
Encyclopedia
Herbert B. Callen was an American
physicist best known as the author of the textbook Thermodynamics
and an Introduction to Thermostatistics, the most frequently cited thermodynamic reference in physics research literature. During World War II
he was also called upon to undertake theoretical studies of the principles underpinning the effort to create the atom bomb.
A native of Philadelphia, Herbert Callen received his Bachelor of Science
degree from Temple University
. He married in 1945, as the war and his work for the Manhattan Project
were coming to an end, and subsequently studied for a PhD. in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT), receiving his degree in 1947. His graduate advisor was the eminent physicist László Tisza
.
In 1948, Callen joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania
Department of Physics and, in 1984, received the Elliott Cresson Medal
from the Franklin Institute
. He was also the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship
, and his distinguished career in physics was capped by induction into the National Academy of Sciences
in 1990. Specialists consider that his most lasting contribution to physics remains the proof of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem, an extremely general result describing how a system's response to perturbations relates to its behavior at equilibrium; as well as his classic text on Thermodynamics, which was published in two editions, translated into many languages, and continues to be used at the graduate and undergraduate level in Thermodynamics courses around the world.
After battling Alzheimer's Disease
for eleven years, Herbert Callen died in the Philadelphia suburb of Merion at the age of 73. He and his wife, Sara Smith, had two children, Jed and Jill.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physicist best known as the author of the textbook Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is a physical science that studies the effects on material bodies, and on radiation in regions of space, of transfer of heat and of work done on or by the bodies or radiation...
and an Introduction to Thermostatistics, the most frequently cited thermodynamic reference in physics research literature. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was also called upon to undertake theoretical studies of the principles underpinning the effort to create the atom bomb.
A native of Philadelphia, Herbert Callen received his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
. He married in 1945, as the war and his work for the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
were coming to an end, and subsequently studied for a PhD. in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(MIT), receiving his degree in 1947. His graduate advisor was the eminent physicist László Tisza
László Tisza
László Tisza was Professor of Physics Emeritus at MIT. He was a colleague of famed physicists Edward Teller, Lev Landau and Fritz London, and initiated the two-fluid theory of liquid helium.-United States:...
.
In 1948, Callen joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
Department of Physics and, in 1984, received the Elliott Cresson Medal
Elliott Cresson Medal
The Elliott Cresson Medal, also known as the Elliott Cresson Gold Medal, was the highest award given by the Franklin Institute. The award was established by Elliott Cresson, life member of the Franklin Institute, with $1,000 granted in 1848...
from the Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States, dating to 1824. The Institute also houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.-History:On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughn Merrick and...
. He was also the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowships are American grants that have been awarded annually since 1925 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Each year, the foundation makes...
, and his distinguished career in physics was capped by induction into the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
in 1990. Specialists consider that his most lasting contribution to physics remains the proof of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem, an extremely general result describing how a system's response to perturbations relates to its behavior at equilibrium; as well as his classic text on Thermodynamics, which was published in two editions, translated into many languages, and continues to be used at the graduate and undergraduate level in Thermodynamics courses around the world.
After battling Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
for eleven years, Herbert Callen died in the Philadelphia suburb of Merion at the age of 73. He and his wife, Sara Smith, had two children, Jed and Jill.