Dennison, David M. (David Mathias), 1900-1976

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Professor of physics at the University of Michigan.

From the description of David M. Dennison papers, ca. 1927-1976. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34421604

Died 1976.

From the description of Oral history interview with David Mathias Dennison, 1964 January 27 to 30. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 81273636

From the description of Informal moments, Summer Symposia at the University of Michigan [motion picture] / taken by David Dennison ; 1933-1937. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83660440

Dennison died in 1976.

From the description of Physics and the [University of Michigan] Department of Physics since 1900--Definitions and Reflections, 1967. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84429977

David Mathias Dennison was born in Oberlin, Ohio, in 1900 to Walter Dennison and Anna L. Green. He attended Swarthmore College and graduated with a BA in 1921 before starting graduate work at the University of Michigan. In 1924 Dennison received his Ph. D. from Michigan, married his wife Helen Lenette Johnson, and began a three-year study of physics in Europe. While studying at Cambridge, Dennison began theoretical work on the heat and temperature of hydrogen with his experiments yielding some of the first quantitative evidence for nuclear spin.

After returning to the United States in 1927 Dennison joined the University of Michigan’s Physics Department as part of a number of new hires with a background in theoretical physics; he was made a full professor in 1935. While working at Michigan, Dennison began to diversify his interest in physics making important discoveries about microwave spectroscopy, and the stability of particle orbits in the racetrack synchrotron. His work on the performance of the radio proximity fuse during World War II earned him a Certificate for Exceptional Service from the United States Navy. In addition Dennison helped organize and participated in international symposia of physicists held during the summer at the University of Michigan from 1929 to 1940.

During his 44 years at the University of Michigan Dennison earned many honors. In 1952 he was selected as the Henry Russel Lecturer, a high honor bestowed on senior faculty, he received a distinguished faculty award in 1962, and was appointed the Harrison M. Randall Distinguished Faculty Professor in 1966. Dennison retired in 1971. His important contributions to science and his dedication to the University of Michigan lead to the renaming of the Physics-Astronomy Building on the university campus to the David M. Dennison Building following his death in 1976.

From the guide to the David M. Dennison papers, 1894-1976, 1927-1976, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Ralph A. Sawyer Papers, 1918-1978 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Medicus, Heinrich, 1918-. International Congress for Physics [motion picture] / photographed by Heinrich Medicus. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Metcalf, Robert Clarence, 1923-. Robert C. Metcalf visual material series. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Koehler, James Stark, 1914-. Oral history interview with James Stark Koehler, 1981 March 6. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Walter F. Colby papers, 1924-1970 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Dennison, David M. (David Mathias), 1900-1976. Physics and the [University of Michigan] Department of Physics since 1900--Definitions and Reflections, 1967. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Crane, H. R. (Horace Richard), 1907-2007. Oral history interview with H. R. Crane, 1973 March 28 and 18 June 1974. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Colby, Walter F. (Walter Francis), b. 1880. Walter F. Colby papers, 1924-1970. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf David M. Dennison papers, 1894-1976, 1927-1976 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Randall, Harrison M. (Harrison McAllister), b. 1870. Oral history interview with Harrison M. Randall, 1964 February 19 and 1965 June 21. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Dennison, David M. (David Mathias), 1900-1976. Oral history interview with David Mathias Dennison, 1964 January 27 to 30. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Dennison, David M. (David Mathias), 1900-1976. David M. Dennison papers, ca. 1927-1976. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Robert C. Metcalf papers, 1950-2008, 1950-1999 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Alumni Association (University of Michigan), Individual Photographs, ca. 1880-ca. 1960s Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn J. H. (John Hasbrouck) Van Vleck papers, 1923-1959, 1923-1959 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Dennison, David M. (David Mathias), 1900-1976. Informal moments, Summer Symposia at the University of Michigan [motion picture] / taken by David Dennison ; 1933-1937. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Heisenberg, Werner, 1901-1976. Oral history interview with Werner Heisenberg, 1962 November 30 to 12 July 1963. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf American Physical Society. Annual Meeting (1974 : Chicago, Ill.). Joint session of the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers [sound recording] : History of physics ; 1974 February 6. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn University of Michigan. News and Information Services. Faculty and Staff Files, 1944-2005 (bulk 1960-1995) Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Archive for the History of Quantum Physics, 1898-1950 (bulk), 1898-1950 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn University of Michigan Faculty and Staff Portraits, ca. 1860-ca. 1960 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Sawyer, Ralph A. (Ralph Alanson), 1895-1978. Ralph A. Sawyer papers, 1918-1978. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Hund, Friedrich, 1896-1997. Oral history interview with Friedrich Hund, 1963 June 25 and 26. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Moses, Harry E. Harry E. Moses student notebooks, 1943-1947. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn American Association of Advertising Agencies Records, 1918-1998 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Metcalf, Robert Clarence, 1923-. Robert C. Metcalf papers, 1950-2008. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Parkinson, W. C. (William Charles), 1918-. Reminiscences of H. R. Crane and David Dennison about the history of the VT fuze [sound recording] / c. 1975. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
creatorOf Dennison, David M. (David Mathias), 1900-1976. [Pamphlets and reprints]. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn News and Information Services (University of Michigan) photograph series D (faculty and staff portraits), 1946-2006, 1950-1990 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn American Physical Society and APS. Joint Committee on the History of Theoretical Physics in the Twentieth Century. Collection, Undated American Philosophical Society
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
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associatedWith Van Vleck, J. H. (John Hasbrouck), 1899- person
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Place Name Admin Code Country
United States--Michigan
Subject
Atomic theory
Universities and colleges
Nuclear physics
Physics
Physics
Quantum theory
Science
Occupation
Physicists
Physicists
Activity

Person

Birth 1900-04-26

Death 1976-04-03

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