Karl Taylor Compton (1887-1954) received a Ph.D. in physics from Princeton University in 1912. He also served as an Assistant Professor of Physics at Princeton University before serving as an associate scientific attache to the American Embassy during WWI. Compton advocated for collaboration between the government and universities in scientific research. In 1940 Compton was appointed to the newly-created National Defense Research Committee (NDRC). He served on several committees working on weapons development and technology. During WWII Compton served on the Secretary of War’s Special Advisory Committee on the Atomic Bomb.

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