Lyman Spitzer

Lyman Spitzer, Jr., 1914-1997
Photo: Denise Applewhite, Princeton University

Lyman Spitzer, Jr. chose to tackle big, challenging problems. He wrote classic theoretical papers that helped shape three different fields of science: interstellar matter, the dynamics of star clusters, and the physics of plasmas.

In 1946, he proposed the development of a large space telescope which became a reality with the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope in 1990. In 1951, he proposed a method for magnetically confining plasmas for the production of fusion energy.

Spitzer was generous with his time and his thoughts, and colleagues and students sought his scientific insight and personal wisdom. His conduct as a scientist and as a human being was distinguished by unfailing politeness, clarity of thought, personal integrity, and grace.