John Wheeler, 1911-2008

john wheeler in 1967 - New York Times

Another giant moves on. John Wheeler died yesterday. He’s known for bringing to light many wonderful pieces of physics (he’s also credited for coining the term “black hole”), classical and quantum (helping craft many of the ideas surrounding issues in quantum gravity, for example), and for being a great teacher. There’s an obituary* by Dennis Overbye in the New York Times here. I’ve borrowed their lovely photograph (which was given no photographer credit, so I cannot).

[Update: Daniel Holz has a personal reflection here.]

-cvj

*I learned of the article from Often in Error.

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3 Responses to John Wheeler, 1911-2008

  1. Bilal says:

    I just read an excellent article by Dave Bacon who blogs at “The Quantum Pontiff”

    http://scienceblogs.com/pontiff/2008/04/john_wheeler.php

  2. Clifford says:

    Thanks!

    -cvj

  3. Bilal says:

    There’s also a nice write-up about his life in the Los Angeles Times by John Johnson Jr.

    http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-me-wheeler15apr15,1,76005.story