Joseph Kaplan (1902- ) was a professof of physics at UCLA, chairman of the department and the director of the Institute of Geophysics. He was also a member of the National Academy of Science, and served as chairman of the U.S. National Committee for the International Geophysical Year (1957-58). The collection consists of framed photographs, files containing clippings, vitae, printed items, manuscripts, and memorabilia.

Kaplan was born in Tapolcza, Hungary on September 8, 1902; arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1910; BS in chemistry (1924) and MA (1926) and Ph.D (1927) in physics, Johns Hopkins University; National Research Council fellow at Princeton University (1927-28); assistant professor (1928-35), associate professor (1935-40), then professor, UCLA; chairman, Department of Physics (1938-44); director, Institute of Geophysics (1946-47); research centered on diatomic molecule spectra; nitrogen, oxygen, and mixture afterglows; upper atmosphere chemical processes; member, National Academy of Science; served as chairman of the U.S. National Committee for the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58; wrote Methods and Results of Upper Atmosphere Research (1954).

1 linear feet (1 oversize box)

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