Karl Taylor Compton, 1887–1954

In the death of Karl Taylor Compton on June 22, 1954, American physicists lost one of their most stalwart colleagues, friends, and benefactors; the world of science lost one of its proudest examples of what a scientist should be and do; the nation lost a scientist‐statesman of unusual insight and wisdom; and the world lost a human being of rare perception, integrity and charm.