David C. Cassidy


David C. Cassidy is an American historian of science and professor emeritus at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York. He is best known for his contributions to the history of quantum mechanics, scientific biography, history of physics in Germany and the United States and, most recently, science-history drama.

Education

Born on August 10, 1945, in Richmond, Virginia, Cassidy attended schools in Detroit, Michigan; Louisville, Kentucky; and northern New Jersey. His father, trained in history and business, was a labor-relations executive at the Ford Motor Company. His mother, a survivor of the Armenian genocide, became a librarian.
He received the BA and MS degrees in physics at Rutgers University. His PhD was awarded in a unique arrangement involving Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin Madison. He completed his dissertation on Werner Heisenberg's route to quantum mechanics under the guidance of Daniel M. Siegel, Norman Pearlman, and Vernard Foley.

Career

Honors

Cassidy's honors and awards include the History of Science Society's Pfizer Award, the American Institute of Physics' Science Writing Award, the Abraham Pais Prize of the American Physical Society, and an Honorary Doctorate of Science awarded by Purdue University.

Books