Foggy Bottom in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Edward Teller
Professor of Physics, 1935 to 1945
By agreement with GW Professor George Gamow, President Cloyd Heck Marvin invited the Hungarian-born Teller to join the Physics Department in 1935. During the next six years, while enthusiastically teaching the new quantum theory and before taking a leave of absence for the war effort, Teller lent his wide knowledge and clear thinking to a series of pioneering works in physical chemistry, nuclear physics, and astrophysics. His subjects included absorption of molecules on surfaces, shapes of molecular bonds, radioactive decay by spin flip, structure of neutron stars, formation of nebulae, and energy production in red giants.
Teller received the Enrico Fermi Award from President John F. Kennedy and the National Medal of Science from President Ronald Reagan for his outstanding contribution to molecular physics, to the understanding of the origin of stellar energy, to the theory and application of fusion reactions, to the field of nuclear safety, and for his continued leadership in science and technology.
His colleagues remember the precise, profound, and prodigious character of Professor Teller’s mind.
Erected 2002 by The George Washington University.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine • War, Cold • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #40 Ronald Reagan series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 38° 53.944′ N, 77° 2.791′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Foggy Bottom. Marker is on 21st Street Northwest south of H Street Northwest, on the left when traveling south. Marker is on the GWU campus, on the wall at the north side of the main entrance to Corcoran Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 725 21st Street Northwest, Washington DC 20037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Announcement of the Atomic Age (here, next to this marker); Professors Gate (a few steps from this marker); George Gamow (within shouting distance of this marker); At GW, Being Bright Comes Naturally (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bench By The Road (within shouting distance of this marker); GW's River Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named GW's River Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Additional keywords. Hungarian-American; "Father of the Hydrogen Bomb"
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.