Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Michelson, Albert Abraham

MICHELSON, ALBERT ABRAHAM, scientist. Born in Strelno, Germany, in 1851, was brought to San Francisco when young, and in 1873 graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy. He taught physics at Annapolis and then pursued his studies in Europe, and on his return became professor of physics at the Case School, Cleveland, and in 1892 head of the physics department, University of Chicago. His experiments in the determination of the velocity of light began in 1878, and to this end he invented the interferential refractometer, which was followed by the echelon spectroscope. President of the American Physical Society (1901-1902) and of American Association for Advancement of Science (1910). Many honorary degrees from universities.