James Edward Young facts for kids

James Edward Young was born on January 18, 1926. He is an American physicist who made history. He was the first Black professor to gain tenure in the Physics Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Young also helped create the National Society of Black Physicists. He was an important mentor to many young scientists, including Shirley Ann Jackson.

Early Life and Education

James Young grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia. He went to Lincoln High School and finished in 1941. After high school, he studied physics at Howard University.

While at Howard, he also taught physics at the Hampton Institute. He earned his master's degree in acoustical engineering from Howard University. In 1949, he moved to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There, he worked as a research assistant. He earned his advanced science degree, called a Doctorate in Science, in 1953. His early studies looked at how sound travels through pipes.

After getting his doctorate, Young worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This is a famous research lab. There, he started studying tiny particles, like those found inside atoms.

Research and Career at MIT

Dr. Young taught and researched at the MIT Center for Theoretical Physics. He focused on how tiny particles behave. In 1969, he became the first Black faculty member to earn tenure in the Physics Department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Getting tenure means a professor has a permanent job.

He was a doctoral advisor to important students. One was Shirley Ann Jackson, who was the first African-American woman to earn a PhD at MIT. Another was Sylvester James Gates, who also became a well-known physicist.

Founding the National Society of Black Physicists

In 1977, Dr. Young helped start the National Society of Black Physicists. He worked with Ronald E. Mickens to create this group. They wanted to celebrate older Black physicists who inspired their students. They held a meeting at Fisk University to honor these "elders."

The National Society of Black Physicists grew from these meetings. It became an independent group led by African-Americans. They created programs and activities to support Black physicists.

Personal Life

James Young is married to E. Elaine Hunter. They have one child together, James E. Young III.