1918-1994

American Physicist

Julian Schwinger was one of a small number of physicists to be involved in the creation of quantum electrodynamics, the physical theory of electrons, positrons, and photons. The theory is unique in providing a complete description of a well-defined set of physical phenomena that is in complete agreement with experiment. As such, quantum electrodynamics has strongly influenced the search for comprehensive theories of the less-well understood nuclear interactions. It also represents a new level of mathematical sophistication to be required of theoretical physicists in the future.

Schwinger was a child prodigy, the son of a businessman and his wife, who taught himself physics by reading library books and the Encyclopedia Britannica, and, skipping several grades, graduated from high school at the age of 14. While attending the City College of New York, he published a scientific paper in the Physical Review that...