Origins & Early Life

Polykarp Kusch (German: [ˈpoːliˌkaʁp ˈkuʃ]; January 26, 1911 – March 20, 1993) was a German–American physicist who shared the 1955 Nobel Prize in Physics with Willis Eugene Lamb for his accurate determination that the electron magnetic moment was greater than its theoretical value, thus leading to reconsideration of and innovations in quantum electrodynamics. Polykarp Kusch was born on January 26, 1911, in Blankenburg, Germany, the son of John Mathias Kusch, a Lutheran missionary, and Henrietta van der Haas. In 1912, Kusch and his family emigrated to the United States, where he naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1922.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After graduating from grade school in the Midwest, Kusch attended Case Institute of Technology (CIT) in Cleveland, Ohio (now Case Western Reserve University), where he majored in physics. After graduating from CIT with a B.S. in 1931, Kusch entered the University of Illinois, from which he received his M.S. in 1933. He continued his education at the same alma mater, studying under Francis Wheeler Loomis.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

For his work in the field of optical molecular spectroscopy, he received his Ph.D. in 1936. In 1937, Kusch moved to Columbia University, where he spent much...

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