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John David Jackson
Jackson textbook (cropped).jpg
Jackson autographing a copy of his classical electrodynamics textbook
Born (1925-01-19)January 19, 1925
Died May 20, 2016 (age 91)
Nationality American; naturalized, 1988
Alma mater University of Western Ontario
MIT
Awards Hon. D.Sc., University of Western Ontario, 1989
Scientific career
Fields Physicist
Institutions MIT
McGill University
University of Illinois
University of California, Berkeley
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Doctoral advisor Victor Frederick Weisskopf
Doctoral students Gordon L. Kane
Chris Quigg

John David Jackson (January 19, 1925 – May 20, 2016) was a brilliant Canadian-American physicist. He was known for his work in theoretical physics. He taught at the University of California, Berkeley. He also worked as a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Who Was John David Jackson?

John David Jackson was born in London, Ontario, Canada, in 1925. He later became an American citizen. He was a very important scientist. He spent many years studying and teaching physics. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 91.

A Brilliant Theoretical Physicist

John David Jackson was a theoretical physicist. This means he used math and ideas to understand how the universe works. He did not usually do experiments himself. Instead, he developed theories and models. These models helped explain things like how tiny particles behave.

He was especially famous for his work in nuclear physics and particle physics. Nuclear physics studies the center of atoms. Particle physics looks at the smallest pieces of matter. His research helped scientists understand these tiny worlds better.

The Famous Electromagnetism Textbook

One of John David Jackson's biggest contributions was his textbook. It was called "Classical Electrodynamics." This book is used by university students all over the world. It teaches about electromagnetism. Electromagnetism is the force behind electricity, magnets, and light.

His book is known for being very detailed and clear. Many students and professors consider it a classic. It has helped countless future scientists learn about this important area of physics. He also gave many lectures at summer schools. These lectures helped share his knowledge with others.

Joining the National Academy of Sciences

John David Jackson was a member of the National Academy of Sciences. This is a very special group in the United States. Scientists are chosen for their outstanding achievements. Being a member means you are one of the top scientists in your field. This shows how respected his work was.

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