H. G. J. Moseley: The Life and Letters of an English Physicist, 1887-1915

H. G. J. Moseley (1887 - 1915) was a British scientist who completed important research in atomic physics just before World War I. He was urged to devote himself to scientific war work but joined the battle and died in the bloody battle for Sari Bair. This book provides a record of Moseley's brief and brilliant career, including his education at Eton, Oxford, and Rutherford's laboratory at the University of Manchester. It also includes his apprenticeship in experimental physics, growth under the supervision of Manchester, and independent work on X rays.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

H. G. J. Moseley, the son and grandson of renowned English scientists, was a cherished student of Rutherford and a colleague of Bohr. Before the outbreak of World War I, he completed groundbreaking research of immense significance to atomic physics. Despite being urged to focus on scientific war work in England, Moseley felt compelled to join the battle. He secured command of a signaling section in the Royal Engineers, embarked on a swift journey to Gallipoli, and tragically lost his life in the fierce battle for Sari Bair.

In this remarkable work, the author presents a comprehensive account of Moseley's brief but illustrious career. It delves into the details of his education at Eton, which, contrary to its reputation for Greek studies and games, provided ample opportunities for a solid scientific foundation. The book also sheds light on Oxford, which, during Moseley's time, was considered a scientific backwater, and Rutherford's thriving laboratory at the University of Manchester. It outlines Moseley's apprenticeship in experimental physics, his development under the close supervision of Manchester, and his pioneering independent work on X-rays, which undoubtedly would have earned him the Nobel Prize.

An epilogue highlights the significant achievements made by others in the decade following Moseley's passing in the research lines he pioneered. Heilbron's account is enriched by his unparalleled access to relevant manuscript material, encompassing Moseley's known correspondence, which he discovered in vast quantities, as well as the papers of colleagues such as Bohr, W. H. Bragg, G. H. Darwin, F. A. Lindemann (Lord Cherwell), Rutherford, Henry Tizard, Georges Ubrain, and G. von Hevesy.

An important aspect of this book is the extensive publication of Moseley's surviving correspondence. These letters not only serve as valuable resources for historians of science and education but also offer a poignant glimpse into the personal life and thoughts of this remarkable scientist.

In conclusion, H. G. J. Moseley's life and career are vividly portrayed in this captivating work. It provides a comprehensive account of his education, scientific achievements, and unwavering commitment to the cause of war. Through the publication of Moseley's surviving correspondence and meticulous research, readers gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable scientist's life and contributions to the field of atomic physics.

Weight: 635g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520357730