Gerald Holton Harvard University, United States
Gerald Holton is an American physicist, historian of science, and educator, whose professional
interests also include philosophy of science and the fostering of careers of young men and
women. He is Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and Professor of History of Science, Em, at
Harvard University1
. His contributions range from physical science and its history to their
professional and public understanding, from studies on gender problems and ethics in science
careers to those on the role of immigrants. These have been acknowledged by an unusually wide
spectrum of appointments and honors, from physics to initiatives in education and other national,
societal issues, to contributions for which he was selected, as the first scientist, to give the tenth
annual Jefferson Lecture that the National Endowment for the Humanities describes as, “the
highest honor the federal government confers for distinguished achievement in the humanities”2
.
However, his life story is also punctuated by improbable rescues during the dark time of the 20th
century.
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Holton was born on May 23, 1922 in Berlin3
, when Germany was in turmoil and sliding toward
disaster. In June, the Foreign Minister, Walter Rathenau, was one of the more than 350
politicians and intellectuals assassinated by fascist gangs that already commanded the streets. 4
Albert Einstein was told he was next on the list, so he fled the country.
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