Arthur Eddington

Date of Birth: December 28, 1882

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: November 22, 1944

Biography

Arthur Stanley Eddington was a renowned British astrophysicist, mathematician, and philosopher of science, best known for his work on the theory of relativity and the internal structure of stars. Born on December 28, 1882, in Kendal, Westmorland, England, Eddington made significant contributions to astrophysics and cosmology during the early 20th century. Eddington’s father, Arthur Henry Eddington, was the headmaster of a local school but passed away when Arthur was just two years old. Raised by his mother, Sarah Ann Shout, Eddington excelled in academics, particularly in mathematics and physics. He attended Owens College in Manchester and later Trinity College, Cambridge, where he earned his degree in 1905. Eddington’s early career was marked by his work at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, where he focused on the motion of stars. He is perhaps best known for his 1919 expedition to observe the solar eclipse from the island of Príncipe, which provided one of the first confirmations of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity. This observation showed that light from stars was bent as it passed near the sun, a groundbreaking discovery that brought Eddington international fame. Throughout his career, Eddington published numerous papers and books, including “The Internal Constitution of the Stars” (1926) and “The Nature of the Physical World” (1928), which explored the philosophical implications of modern physics. He was knighted in 1930 and received many honors and awards for his contributions to science. Eddington remained active in research and teaching until his death on November 22, 1944, in Cambridge, England. His work laid the foundation for much of modern astrophysics and continues to influence scientists today.

5 Interesting Facts about Arthur Eddington

1. Arthur Eddington was one of the first scientists to popularize Einstein’s theory of relativity, making complex scientific ideas accessible to the general public.

2. Eddington developed the Eddington limit, which describes the maximum luminosity a star can achieve when there is balance between radiation pressure and gravitational force.

3. He was a Quaker and his religious beliefs influenced his philosophical outlook on science and the universe.

4. Eddington was also an accomplished cyclist and enjoyed taking long bike rides in the countryside.

5. He was awarded the Royal Medal in 1928 and the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society twice, in 1924 and 1938.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Arthur Eddington

1. “Not only is the universe stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.”

2. “We often think that when we have completed our study of one we know all about two, because ‘two’ is ‘one and one.’ We forget that we still have to make a study of ‘and.’”

3. “The law that entropy always increases holds, I think, the supreme position among the laws of Nature.”

4. “Proof is an idol before whom the pure mathematician tortures himself.”

5. “Philosophically, the notion of a beginning of the present order of Nature is repugnant to me.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Arthur Eddington’s net worth is not well-documented, as he lived in an era where the financial status of scientists was not commonly tracked or reported. However, his contributions to science were invaluable and earned him numerous accolades.