Arthur Compton

Arthur Compton Historical Figure Nationality: United States Year of Birth: 1892 Year of Death: 1962 Cause of Death: Stroke Religion: Presbyterian Occupation: Physicist, Author of Non-Fiction, Clergyman, Educator Spouse: Betty Charity McCloskey Children: Arthur Alan, John Joseph Professional Affiliations: Washington University in St. Louis University of Chicago University of Minnesota Fictional Appearances: Worldwar POD: May 30, 1942 Appearance(s): In the Balance; Tilting the Balance Type of Appearance: Direct

Arthur Holly Compton (September 10, 1892 – March 15, 1962) was an American physicist and Nobel laureate in physics for his discovery of the Compton effect. He served as Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis from 1945 to 1953. During World War II, Compton was instrumental in organizing the Manhattan Project which built the first atomic bomb.

Arthur Compton in Worldwar

Arthur Compton was the head of the University of Chicago's Metallurgical Laboratory, and one of the people in charge of the United States' efforts to build an atomic bomb, a key weapon against the Race's Conquest Fleet. While initially he preferred the group stay in Chicago, he and his team transferred to Denver in 1942 when Chicago's fall to the Race seemed inevitable. In Denver, the team were able to produce a successful atomic pile in 1943. Compton urged caution after a German pile melted down, killing several physicists, including Werner Heisenberg.