Hedwig Kohn was a pioneering physicist and one of the first women to achieve habilitation in physics in Germany prior to World War II. Born in Breslau, she faced persecution as a Jewish woman under the Nazi regime, compelling her to leave Germany. Kohn relocated to the United States, where she resumed her academic pursuits and remained for the rest of her life, contributing significantly to her field despite the challenges she faced.
1907: Enrolled in Breslau University
In 1907, Hedwig Kohn enrolled in Breslau University a year before women were officially allowed to matriculate. She was the second woman to enter the physics department.
1913: Obtained Doctorate in Physics
In 1913, Hedwig Kohn obtained her doctorate in physics under Otto Lummer and was soon appointed as Lummer's assistant.
1930: Obtained Habilitation
In 1930, Hedwig Kohn obtained her habilitation (the qualification for university teaching).
1933: Dismissed from position
In 1933, Hedwig Kohn was dismissed from her position due to Nazi regulations which barred Jews from government service.
1935: Visit to Licht-Klimatisches Observatory
In 1935, Hedwig Kohn spent three months at the Licht-Klimatisches Observatory in Arosa, Switzerland, to measure the intensity of ultraviolet rays in the sun, thanks to US funding.
1938: Lost Work and Resources
In 1938, Hedwig Kohn found herself without work or financial resources and narrowly avoided becoming a victim of the Holocaust.
1939: Visa to the United Kingdom
In 1939, Hedwig Kohn had been given a visa to the United Kingdom, but it was cancelled because of World War II.
July 1940: Travel to Sweden
In July 1940, Hedwig Kohn secured a visa to travel to Sweden and immediately went there.
January 1941: Arrival in the United States
In January 1941, Hedwig Kohn arrived in the United States and was seriously ill.
1942: Began Teaching at Wellesley College
In 1942, Hedwig Kohn began teaching at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
1945: Became Associate Professor at Wellesley College
In 1945, Hedwig Kohn became an associate professor at Wellesley College.
1948: Awarded Full Professorship at Wellesley College
In 1948, Hedwig Kohn was awarded full professorship at Wellesley College.
1952: Became Research Associate at Duke University
In 1952, upon her retirement as professor, Hedwig Kohn became a research associate at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
November 1964: Death
In November 1964, Hedwig Kohn died. She had been working at Duke University until shortly before her death.
1964: Death
In 1964, Hedwig Kohn died shortly after retiring, she had been working at Duke University.
April 2019: Google Doodle Commemoration
In April 2019, a Google Doodle commemorated Hedwig Kohn's 132nd birth anniversary.
Mentioned in this timeline
Google LLC is a multinational technology corporation specializing in a...
North Carolina is a diverse U S state situated on...
Massachusetts officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state located...
War is defined as an armed conflict involving the armed...
Travel involves the movement of people between geographical locations using...
Sweden officially the Kingdom of Sweden is a Nordic country...
Trending
4 hours ago Maya Joint Advances to Maiden WTA Tour Final at Korea Open
5 hours ago Halle Berry Embraces Natural Changes of Aging and Menopause
6 hours ago Jeremy Peña Delivers Explosive Performance with Multi-Homer Game and Massive 425-Foot Home Run
6 hours ago Tucker Carlson Calls for Trump Removal Under 25th Amendment
6 hours ago Top AI Firms Investigate Thousands of Autonomous Agent Security Incidents
6 hours ago Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost Attend Rare Red Carpet Premiere in New York City
Popular
Jameis Winston is an American football quarterback currently playing for...
Ken Paxton is an American politician and lawyer serving as...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll the Queen of Latin Music is...
Sylvester Stallone is an iconic American actor screenwriter and filmmaker...
Cristiano Ronaldo widely considered one of the greatest footballers captains...