John Alexander Simpson
| John Alexander Simpson | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
November 3, 1916 Portland, Oregon |
| Died | August 31, 2000 (aged 83) |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Fields | physics |
| Institutions |
Chicago University Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research (LASR) Washington D.C. |
| Alma mater |
Reed College New York University |
| Doctoral students | Sam Treiman |
| Known for |
Cosmic Ray Nuclear physics high-energy astrophysics Space Exploration |
| Notable awards |
Gagarin Medal (1986) Bruno Rossi Prize (1991) Arctowski Medal (1993) Leo Szilard Lectureship Award (1999) William Bowie Medal (2000) |
John Alexander Simpson (November 3, 1916 – August 31, 2000) worked as an experimental nuclear, and cosmic ray physicist who was deeply committed to educating the public and political leaders about science and its implications. The year he died, his instruments in space had been sending data back for nearly 40 years. Simpson spent his career as an instructor and researcher for the University of Chicago Physics department. His research continued up until a few weeks prior to his death on August 31 of 2000.
He is known for inventions such as the gas flow a-particle proportional counter for measuring plutonium yields in the presence of high intensity fission products, and the neutron monitor. And also for having several of the instruments he created launched into space.
John A. Simpson died at age 83. His death was caused by a case of Pneumonia which he contracted in the hospital following a successful heart surgery, and he is survived by his wife Elizabeth, and by his two children Mary Ann and Simpson from his first marriage.
Born in Portland, Oregon, Simpson was an accomplished clarinetist and saxophonist in his early years, receiving recognition in high school with an award for his virtuosity. He received an AB degree from Reed College in 1940, where he became interested in the history of science and technology spanning from the Greeks and Romans to the Middle Ages, to the most recent discoveries in astronomy and physics. He obtained an MS from New York University in 1943, and a Ph.D a year later. It was at New York University in 1943 when Simpson first got his invitation to become employed at Chicago University. Volney Wilson, an administrator at the Metallurgical Laboratory of the university had asked him to come help invent instruments for measuring high levels of radioactivity. It took much convincing, but Simpson finally agreed to help.
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