Einstein Award medal of Julian Schwinger
Date: 1951
Inventory Number: 2009-1-0043
Classification: Medal
Maker: Medallic Art Company (founded 1903)
Maker: Institute for Advanced Study (founded 1930)
Owner: Julian S. Schwinger (1918 - 1994)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
7.6 x 7.6 x 5 cm (3 x 3 x 1 15/16 in.)
case: 2.4 x 10.9 x 11 cm (15/16 x 4 5/16 x 4 5/16 in.)
Description:
The obverse (front) of the Albert Einstein Award medal features a portrait of Albert Einstein. The sculptor's "mark" and date (1950) also appears on the medal.
The reverse (back) of the medal shows the lamp of knowledge on top of a block surrounded by laurel leaves. The block is marked "AWARDED TO / JULIAN SCHWINGER / FOR / ACHIEVEMENT / IN THE / NATURAL SCIENCES." Below the block is a memoriam to Lewis and Rosa Strauss.
The medal is made of 10-karat gold. It is stored in a wood box covered with black leather and lined with blue velvet and satin.
The reverse (back) of the medal shows the lamp of knowledge on top of a block surrounded by laurel leaves. The block is marked "AWARDED TO / JULIAN SCHWINGER / FOR / ACHIEVEMENT / IN THE / NATURAL SCIENCES." Below the block is a memoriam to Lewis and Rosa Strauss.
The medal is made of 10-karat gold. It is stored in a wood box covered with black leather and lined with blue velvet and satin.
Signedin relief on obverse: THE ALBERT EINSTEIN / AWARD
in relief below bust on obverse: 19 [sculptor's mark] 50
engraved on reverse: JULIAN SCHWINGER
stamped on edge of medal: MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y.
stamped into leather on underside of case: MEDALLIC ART CO. / NEW YORK
in relief below bust on obverse: 19 [sculptor's mark] 50
engraved on reverse: JULIAN SCHWINGER
stamped on edge of medal: MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y.
stamped into leather on underside of case: MEDALLIC ART CO. / NEW YORK
Inscribedon reverse in relief: IN MEMORIAM / LEWIS AND ROSA /STRAUSS
on edge of medal: 10K
on edge of medal: 10K
Historical AttributesThe Albert Einstein Award is a recognition of very high achievement in theoretical physics. It was endowed by the Lewis and Rosa Strauss Memorial Fund in honor of Albert Einstein's 70th birthday. The Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ confers the award.
The first recipient was Julian Schwinger in 1951, and this is his gold award medal. The selection committee in that year consisted of Einstein, Oppenheimer, von Neumann, and Weyl.
The first recipient was Julian Schwinger in 1951, and this is his gold award medal. The selection committee in that year consisted of Einstein, Oppenheimer, von Neumann, and Weyl.
ProvenanceJulian Schwinger, 1951-1994; Clarice Schwinger (his widow), 1994-2005; gift to the Department of Physics, Harvard University, 2005; transfer to CHSI, 2009.