William Ross Ham

Background

Ham, William Ross was born on February 10, 1879 in Lewiston, Maine, United States. Son of John Lowell and Emily (Ford) Ham.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, 1901. Doctor of Philisophy, University of Chicago, 1909.

Career

Professor physics, Pennsylvania State College, 1909-1944, also head of department Captain Ordnance Department, United States Army, June 1917-June 1919. Lieutenant colonel, O.R.C. from 1939.

Achievements

• William Ross Ham has been listed as a noteworthy physicist by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member American Physical Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Tau Omega. Wrote papers on polarization of Röntgen rays, depth of complete scattering of kathode rays, absorption in the ultra violet, relation between vapor tension and temperature, design of stereobinoculars (patents), reflection of electrons, energy of high velocity electrons, variation of photoelectric effect with temperature, equations of thermionic emission, diffusion of gases through metals. Club: Cosmos.

Connections

Married J. Elizabeth Dunmore, July 1908. Children: Priscilla, John L. and Frank (twins), Nelson.

Father:

John Lowell Ham

Mother:

Emily (Ford) Ham

Spouse:

J. Elizabeth Dunmore

child:

John L. and Frank Ham (twins)

child:

Priscilla Ham

child:

Nelson Ham