Sunday, March 29, 2009

The Passing of a Great Historian of Science

I was saddened to read that one of the great historians of science, Martin J. Klein of Yale University, passed away yesterday at the age of 84. He was a very down to earth and generous man, and was gracious in offering advice for one of my books. The first volume (of a planned two volume set) of a biography he wrote about physicist Paul Ehrenfest is a classic. (He never completed the second volume because he it was becoming too depressing for him to dwell on Ehrenfest's tragic final years.) Klein was also instrumental in the Einstein papers project and was the first recipient of the Pais Prize for the History of Physics. I remember him as a kindly, gray-mustached figure who was almost always surrounded by adoring former students.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Essay Contest Results

The results of the "Nature of Time" essay competition have been posted.

There are many luminaries among the winners, including first-place winner Julian Barbour, an independent researcher who lives near Oxford.

If you are interested in reading any of the winning essays, including my own essay "The Garden of Forking Paths" (which I am delighted to announce has won a fourth juried prize) here is a link:

The Nature of Time Essay Competition Results