Ronold W. P. King
Encyclopedia
Ronold Wyeth Percival King (September 19, 1905 - April 10, 2006) was an American applied physicist, known for
his contributions to the theory and application of microwave antennas.
He published twelve books and over three hundred articles in his area, as well as mentored one hundred
doctoral dissertations.
Born in Williamstown, Massachusetts
, he moved to Rochester, New York
where his
father worked as a professor of German
. He earned an A.B.
(1927) and S.M. (1929) degree
in physics
from the University of Rochester
. He was an exchange student
at University of Munich (1928-29) and attended Cornell University
(1929-30), before
completing his graduate studies at University of Wisconsin–Madison
(1932) where he
obtained a Ph.D.
on the thesis Characteristics of Vacuum Tube Circuits Having Distributed Constants at Ultra-Radio Frequencies advised by Edward Bennett
and subsequently was a research assistant (1932-34).
King was an instructor and assistant professor in phusiks at Lafayette College
(1934-37),
Guggenheim Fellow overseas (1937, 1958).
He joined Harvard University
as an instructor (1938),
as assistant professor (1939), associate (1942) and as Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics (1946-72, taken over
by his former student Tai Tsun Wu
), and
professor emeritus (1972).
He resided at Winchester, Massachusetts
, and wrote
the autobiography A man of the 20th century.
His research group at Harvard spent the 40s and 50s developing the theory of antenna (radio)
,
using the cylindrical antenna as a boundary value problem subject to Maxwell's equations
.
Also, scattering and diffraction of electromagnetic waves from
spheres, cylinders, strips, and disks, conducted
within earth, under water or in tissue.
his contributions to the theory and application of microwave antennas.
He published twelve books and over three hundred articles in his area, as well as mentored one hundred
doctoral dissertations.
Born in Williamstown, Massachusetts
Williamstown, Massachusetts
Williamstown is a town in Berkshire County, in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It shares a border with Vermont to the north and New York to the west. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,754 at the 2010 census...
, he moved to Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
where his
father worked as a professor of German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
. He earned an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(1927) and S.M. (1929) degree
in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
. He was an exchange student
at University of Munich (1928-29) and attended Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
(1929-30), before
completing his graduate studies at University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
(1932) where he
obtained a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
on the thesis Characteristics of Vacuum Tube Circuits Having Distributed Constants at Ultra-Radio Frequencies advised by Edward Bennett
Edward Bennett (physicist)
Edward Bennett was an American physicist, known from his early involvements in wireless transmission.He obtained a Ph.D. in electrical engineering at the Western University of Pennsylvania . The work was on spark-gap transmitters, jointly with William Bradshaw andsupervised by Reginald Fessenden...
and subsequently was a research assistant (1932-34).
King was an instructor and assistant professor in phusiks at Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
(1934-37),
Guggenheim Fellow overseas (1937, 1958).
He joined Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
as an instructor (1938),
as assistant professor (1939), associate (1942) and as Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics (1946-72, taken over
by his former student Tai Tsun Wu
Tai Tsun Wu
Tai Tsun Wu is an Chinese American physicist and applied physicist well known for his contributions to high-energy nuclear physics and statistical mechanics....
), and
professor emeritus (1972).
He resided at Winchester, Massachusetts
Winchester, Massachusetts
Winchester is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, eight miles north of Boston. With its agricultural roots having mostly disappeared, it is now an affluent suburb...
, and wrote
the autobiography A man of the 20th century.
His research group at Harvard spent the 40s and 50s developing the theory of antenna (radio)
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
,
using the cylindrical antenna as a boundary value problem subject to Maxwell's equations
Maxwell's equations
Maxwell's equations are a set of partial differential equations that, together with the Lorentz force law, form the foundation of classical electrodynamics, classical optics, and electric circuits. These fields in turn underlie modern electrical and communications technologies.Maxwell's equations...
.
Also, scattering and diffraction of electromagnetic waves from
spheres, cylinders, strips, and disks, conducted
within earth, under water or in tissue.
Books
- Electromagnetic engineering (McGraw-HillMcGraw-HillThe McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Its primary areas of business are financial, education, publishing, broadcasting, and business services...
, 1945) - Transmission lines, antennas and wave guides (McGraw-HillMcGraw-HillThe McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Its primary areas of business are financial, education, publishing, broadcasting, and business services...
, 1945). With Harry R. Mimno and Alexander H. Wing - Theory of linear antennas (Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
, 1956) - The scattering and diffraction of waves (Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
, 1959). With Tai Tsun WuTai Tsun WuTai Tsun Wu is an Chinese American physicist and applied physicist well known for his contributions to high-energy nuclear physics and statistical mechanics.... - Antennas and waves, a modern approach (MIT PressMIT PressThe MIT Press is a university press affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts .-History:...
, 1970). With Charles HarrisonCharles HarrisonCharles Harrison may refer to:*Charles "Chuck" Harrison, industrial designer at Sears Roebuck*Charles Custis Harrison , provost of the University of Pennsylvania*Charles Townsend Harrison , British art historian.*Charles W... - Arrays of cylindrical dipoles (Cambridge Press)
- Antennas in matter (MIT PressMIT PressThe MIT Press is a university press affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts .-History:...
, 1981). With Glenn S. Smith - Fundamental electromagnetic theory and applications (Prentice-Hall, 1985). With Sheila Prasad.
- Cylindrical Antennas and Arrays (Cambridge Press, 2002). With George Fikioris and Richard B. Mack
Awards
- IEEE FellowIEEE FellowAn IEEE member is elevated to the grade of IEEE Fellow for "unusual distinction in the profession and shall be conferred by the Board of Directors upon a person with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest"...
, Life fellow - fellow of the American Physical SocietyAmerican Physical SocietyThe American Physical Society is the world's second largest organization of physicists, behind the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. The Society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the world renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than 20...
- fellow of the American Academy of Arts and SciencesAmerican Academy of Arts and SciencesThe American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
- Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin (1973)
- 1983 Prize Paper Award from the IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility
- Centennial Medal of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (1985)
- Harold Pender AwardHarold Pender AwardThe Harold Pender Award, initiated in 1972 and named after founding Dean Harold Pender, is given by the Faculty of the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Pennsylvania to an outstanding member of the engineering profession who has achieved distinction by significant...
from The Moore School of Electrical Engineering of the University of Pennsylvania (1986) - Distinguished Achievement Award of the Electrical and Electronics Engineers (1997)
- IEEE Graduate Teaching Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (1997)
- Chen-To Tai Distinguished Educator Award from the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (2001).
- Professor R.W.P. King Education Fund (1972)