AIP annual report 1954

In the death of Karl Taylor Compton on June 22nd, the American Institute of Physics, as well as the world at large, suffered a very great loss. Indeed, it is very doubtful whether the American Institute of Physics would ever have come into existence at all without his vision and initiative. He saw the need for reversing the then prevailing trend of physics to split into a number of unrelated societies, he gave leadership to the establishment of the AIP to bring these societies into federation without loss of autonomy, and he did much to join their strength through the Institute for the effective prosecution of common causes. He continued his active guidance of the newly launched Institute for seven years as Chairman of its Governing Board and then for several more years as a member of its Policy Committee. Until he died, he retained a lively interest in the Institute and made his time available for the consideration of its problems and opportunities.

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