Most theoretical physicists rely on interactions with others to stay abreast of theoretical and experimental advances. In classrooms and seminars, on blackboards and napkins, they exchange and clarify ideas with colleagues and students. Rare is the theoretical physicist who makes repeated and varied contributions apart from the throng; rarer still is one who not only contributes but also sets standards and priorities singlehandedly. Julian Seymour Schwinger, who died 16 July 1994 at the age of 76, was such an individual. Gentle but steadfastly independent, quiet but dramatically eloquent, self‐taught and self‐propelled, brilliant and prolific, Schwinger remained active and productive until his death. His ideas, discoveries and techniques pervade all areas of theoretical physics.
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October 1995
October 01 1995
Julian Schwinger: Prodigy, Problem Solver, Pioneering Physicist
He made major contributions to atomic, nuclear and particle physics, statistical mechanics, QED and field theory, and discovered many of the principles and methods we now take for granted.
Paul C. Martin;
Paul C. Martin
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Sheldon L. Glashow
Sheldon L. Glashow
Harvard University
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Physics Today 48 (10), 40–46 (1995);
Citation
Paul C. Martin, Sheldon L. Glashow; Julian Schwinger: Prodigy, Problem Solver, Pioneering Physicist. Physics Today 1 October 1995; 48 (10): 40–46. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.881454
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