Harvey Washington Banks facts for kids

Harvey Washington Banks (born February 7, 1923 – 1979) was a professor who taught physics and astronomy. He worked at Howard University and other schools. He made history by being the first African American to earn a special kind of doctorate degree in the field of astronomy. This means he was the first Black person to get the highest university degree specifically for studying stars and space.

His Early Life and Schooling

Harvey Washington Banks was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. When he was young, his family moved to Washington, D.C.. There, he went to Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.).

After high school, Banks went to Howard University. He earned his first degree in physics in 1946. Two years later, in 1948, he got his master's degree, also in physics. He then continued his studies at Georgetown University. In 1961, he finished his Ph.D. in Astronomy. This was a big achievement, making him a top expert in the study of space.

Teaching and Studying the Stars

After getting his doctorate, Banks started teaching. From 1962 to 1966, he was an assistant professor of astronomy at Georgetown University. Later, he became a professor of physics and astronomy at Delaware State University. He also became the director of the observatory at that school. An observatory is a place with telescopes to watch the sky.

In 1969, Professor Banks returned to Howard University. There, he became an associate professor of astronomy. He continued his research, looking deeper into space. He also started working in a field called Geodesy. This is the science of measuring and understanding the Earth's shape and gravity. He used information from solar eclipses and satellites to help with his studies.

Professor Banks passed away in 1979.