Detlev Bronk

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Detlev Wulf Bronk
Detlev Wulf Bronk.jpg
Bronk in 1963
Born (1897-08-13)August 13, 1897[1]
New York City[1]
Died November 17, 1975(1975-11-17) (aged 78)[1]
New York City[1]
Fields Scientist
Institutions Johns Hopkins University[2]
National Academy of Sciences[3]
National Science Board[4]
University of Pennsylvania[5]
Rockefeller University[1]
World Academy of Art and Science[6]
Alma mater Swarthmore College[1]
University of Michigan[1]
Notable awards Franklin Medal (1961)[7]
Presidential Medal of Freedom (1964)[1]
Public Welfare Medal (1964)
National Medal of Science (1968)[8]

Detlev Wulf Bronk (August 13, 1897 – November 17, 1975) was a prominent American scientist, educator, and administrator. He is credited with establishing biophysics as a recognized discipline. Bronk served as President of Johns Hopkins University from 1949 to 1953 and as President of the The Rockefeller University from 1953 to 1968. Bronk also held the presidency of the National Academy of Sciences between 1950 and 1962.

Contents

Career [edit]

From 1953–1968 Bronk was president of The Rockefeller University. (The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research was renamed The Rockefeller University in 1965). He firmly espoused academic freedom and resisted attempts by Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy to have Johns Hopkins University dismiss Professor Owen Lattimore. The same year he was awarded the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences.[9] He was credited with formulating the modern theory of the science of biophysics.[10] Bronk was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 14, 1964. He was also a member of the National Aeronautics and Space council. He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Brookhaven National Laboratories and a founder and President of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS). He was also an advisory member of the Atomic Energy Commission. He served on the board of trustees for Science Service, now known as Society for Science & the Public, from 1965–1967. Bronk is quoted as saying:

"A great deal of undergraduate education is built on ... telling a student what to do—at the very time he is developing intellectual habits for life. Too rarely is a student told, 'This is the problem with which we are going to deal. Here are the books.' "

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Ohles, Ohles & Ramsay: Biographical Dictionary of Modern American Educators, p.42: Greenwood Press, 1997. ISBN 0-313-29133-0
  2. ^ The Johns Hopkins University – Past Presidents. Johns Hopkins University
  3. ^ National Academy of Sciences: About the NAS: President
  4. ^ Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, Inc. (February 1976). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, Inc. pp. 6–. ISSN 00963402. Retrieved 15 February 2012. 
  5. ^ History of the Penn Comprehensive Neuroscience Center. Uphs.upenn.edu. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
  6. ^ History | World Academy of Art & Science. Worldacademy.org (1960-12-24). Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
  7. ^ The Franklin Institute Awards. Fi.edu. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
  8. ^ U.S. National Science Foundation – The President's National Medal of Science: Recipient Details. Nsf.gov. Retrieved on 2012-02-15.
  9. ^ "Public Welfare Award". National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 18 February 2011. 
  10. ^ The Twentieth Century. 11 Alfred Newton Richards: Biomedical Research. repository.upenn.edu

Bibliography [edit]

Further reading [edit]

  • Brink, Jr (1975). "Detlev Wulf Bronk" (PDF). Memoirs of the National Academy of Science 50: 3–40. 

References [edit]

External links [edit]
 
Biological sciences
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
Authority control
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