Robert Millikan (1868-1953): Nobel Laureate and Pioneer in Electron Charge Measurement

In 1923, American physicist Robert Andrews Millikan received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his precise determination of the electron's charge, a fundamental constant in the field. Born in Morrison, Illinois, in 1868, Millikan was the son of a Congregational minister. His academic journey began at Oberlin College, where he discovered his passion for physics. He then pursued advanced studies at Columbia University, earning his PhD in 1895.

Following his doctorate, Millikan broadened his scientific expertise in Europe, spending a year at the University of Göttingen and the University of Berlin. This international exposure enhanced his scientific perspective and prepared him for a distinguished academic career. In 1896, he joined the University of Chicago, where he performed groundbreaking experiments, including the famous oil-drop experiment that accurately measured the electron's charge.

In 1921, Millikan moved to the California Institute of Technology, where he became the director of the Norman Bridge Laboratory. Under his leadership, the lab became a premier research institution. Millikan's tenure at Caltech, which lasted until his retirement in 1945, saw significant advancements in physics and the mentoring of future scientific leaders. His legacy lives on in the foundational principles of modern physics and the institutions he helped establish.
Robert Millikan: Nobel Laureate and Pioneer in Electron Charge Measurement