Forest Ray Moulton

Early Life and Education:

• Born: April 29, 1872, in Le Roy, Michigan (USA)
• Parents: Belah G. Moulton and Mary C. Moulton
• Siblings: Had seven brothers and a sister, with five brothers becoming listed in Who's Who in America
• Education:
  • Albion College (1892-1894)
  • University of Chicago (1895-1899), where he earned his Ph.D. in astronomy under the guidance of Thomas Chrowder Chamberlin (a noted geologist)

Scientific Career:

• Known for his contributions to celestial mechanics and planetary astronomy.
• Collaborated with Thomas Chrowder Chamberlin to develop the Chamberlin-Moulton planetesimal hypothesis, which proposed a theory for the formation of the solar system involving a near-collision between the Sun and another star, leading to the ejection of material that formed the planets. (While not the accepted theory today, it was a significant contribution to the field at the time)
• Played a key role in the development of numerical integration techniques, particularly Moulton's method, which is still used in ballistics and celestial mechanics calculations.
• His work on ballistics was crucial during World War I.
• Mentored prominent astronomers like Edwin Hubble (considered the "father of modern cosmology") and Walter Bartky.
• Became a leading figure in American mathematical astronomy and held positions at the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania.
• Served as the Permanent Secretary and then Administrative Secretary of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) from 1937 to 1948.

Other Achievements and Recognition:

• Published several introductory books on astronomy and a celebrated text on celestial mechanics.
• Elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1910, a prestigious honor recognizing distinguished and ongoing achievements in scientific research.
• Brother, Harold G. Moulton, became a noted economist.

Death and Legacy:

• Died: December 7, 1952, in Wilmette, Illinois (USA) at the age of 80.
• Remembered as a significant contributor to the fields of celestial mechanics, planetary astronomy, and numerical integration techniques.
• His work on the Chamberlin-Moulton hypothesis, while not the current accepted theory, laid groundwork for further understanding of the solar system's formation.