Physicists

Biographical Sources in the Sciences -- General Works and National Sources

"This guide offers a systematic approach to the wide variety of published biographical information on men and women of science and technology. Both historical and contemporary scientists are covered, with emphasis on Americans."

Contributions of 20th Century Women to Physics

International in scope, this resource from the University of California at Los Angeles provides information on over 50 female physicists. You can search by an individual's name or by a specific area of physics.

Enrico Fermi and the Nuclear Chain Reaction

"On December 2nd 1942, physicist Enrico Fermi and his colleagues at the University of Chicago successfully obtained the first controlled self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in a former squash court beneath the athletic fields. Visitors to this fine digital collection created by The University of Chicago Library can learn about this event and Fermi through a selection of materials, including hand-written notes, papers, images, and so on. Visitors may wish to read the biographical essay of Fermi located in the “About Enrico Fermi” area, and then proceed to the “Enrico Fermi Collection” area, which includes digitized copies of his notebooks that address such topics as elementary topics, the famed Chicago cyclotron, and notes for a course on nuclear physics. The site also has a nice selection of images that include photographs of the converted squash court where the chain reaction took place and a sketch of the experiment itself. Finally, the site is rounded out by a copious list of additional online resources related to Fermi and his work." (Review by the Scout Report)

Famous Physicists

This page, maintained by D. Mark Manley, lists physicists of the classical period and Nobel Laureates. There is a brief description of each and a link to further information.

Nobel Laureates in Physics, 1901-Present

Lists Nobel laureates and provides brief biographical entries with a description of the work that earned the Nobel Prize.

Physicists of the African Diaspora

Includes a timeline and biographical information on physicists of the African Diaspora (African American, West Indian, etc.), beginning with Edward Alexander Bouchet, who in 1878 was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Science (Physics - Yale University), and continuing with photographs and information on contemporary physicists.

Profession Jokes - Physicists

Collection of jokes, limericks, cartoons featuring physicists and astronomers. Maintained by David Shay.