Background
Leighton, Robert BEnjamin was born on September 10, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of George Benjamin and Olga Ottilie (Homrig) Leighton.
Leighton, Robert BEnjamin was born on September 10, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of George Benjamin and Olga Ottilie (Homrig) Leighton.
Associate of Arts, Los Angeles City College, 1938. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1941. Master of Science in Physics, California Institute of Technology, 1944.
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics, California Institute of Technology, 1947.
Resident fellow, California Institute Technology, Pasadena, 1947-1949;assistant professor, California Institute Technology, Pasadena, 1949-1953;associate professor, California Institute Technology, Pasadena, 1953-1959;professor, California Institute Technology, Pasadena, 1953-1985;William R. Valentine professor physics, California Institute Technology, Pasadena, 1984-1985;professor emeritus, California Institute Technology, Pasadena, since 1985;chairman division physics, math, and astronomy, principal investigator, California Institute Technology, Pasadena, 1971-1975.
Fellow American Physics Society. Member National Academy of Sciences (James Craig Watson medal 1988), American Association for the Advancement of Science (Rumford prize 1986), American Astronomical Society.
Married Alice M. Winger, July 31, 1943 (divorced 1973). Children: Ralph Edward, Alan Paul. Married Margaret Laura Lauritsen, January 7, 1977.
Step-children: Eric, Margaret Annual.