Origins & Early Life

John Robert Schrieffer (; May 31, 1931 – July 27, 2019) was an American theoretical physicist who, with John Bardeen and Leon Cooper, was a recipient of the 1972 Nobel Prize in Physics for developing the BCS theory, the first successful quantum description of superconductivity. John Robert Schrieffer was born on May 31, 1931, in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of John Henry Schrieffer and Louise Anderson. His family moved in 1940 to Manhasset, New York, and then in 1947 to Eustis, Florida, where his father, a former pharmaceutical salesman, began a career in the citrus industry. In his Florida days, Schrieffer enjoyed playing with homemade rockets and ham radio, a hobby that sparked an interest in electrical engineering.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After graduating from Eustis High School in 1949, Schrieffer was admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where for two years he majored in electrical engineering before switching to physics in his junior year. He completed a bachelor's thesis on multiplets in heavy atoms under the direction of John C. Slater in 1953. Pursuing an interest in solid-state physics, Schrieffer began graduate studies at the University of Illinois...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Pioneering Finnish painter, celebrated for national romanticism and the Kalevala.
• Albert A. Michelson — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Pioneering American experimental physicist known for light speed measurements.
• Agnès Varda — Contemporary (Died in 2019) (2019): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Akihito — Contemporary (Died in 2019) (2019): 125th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
• Albert Finney — Contemporary (Died in 2019) (2019): Esteemed English actor celebrated for his versatile stage and screen performances.
• Ama Ata Aidoo — Shared historical date (05-31 · Died) (2023): Pioneering Ghanaian writer, poet, and academician celebrated for feminist themes.
• Antonio Imbert Barrera — Shared historical date (05-31 · Died) (2016): Dominican military officer and 44th President of the Dominican Republic.
• Alex Rodriguez — Shared historical date (07-27 · Born) (1975): Legendary baseball player and businessman, known as "A-Rod"
• Alexander Mack — Shared historical date (07-27 · Born) (1679): German clergyman and founder of the Schwarzenau Brethren movement.
• 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
• May 31 (05-31) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 31
• 2019 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2019
• July 27 (07-27) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 27