Harvey Brooks (1915–2004) was born in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Yale University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1937. He completed a PhD in physics at Harvard University in 1940 under the direction of J.H. van Vleck. In 1946, he joined the staff at General Electric, serving as associate head of the Knolls Atomic Power Lab, returning to Harvard in 1950, and from 1957 to 1975, he served as dean of the Division of Engineering and Applied Physics. In addition to his research on solid state physics, nuclear engineering, and underwater acoustics, Professor Brooks devoted his energy to the link between science and public policy. More complete information regarding his career may be found in the proceedings of the American Philosophical Society from December 2010.

• Biographical information at Harvard University
• Obituary in the New York Times