De bemoeienissen van Lorentz en Einstein met de Utrechtse leerstoel voor theoretische fysica (1911-1915)

Abstract

Lorentz and Einstein and the Utrecht chair of theoretical physics (1911-1914) In 1911 physics was taught at Utrecht University by two full professors: W.H. Julius for physics, physical geography, and meteorology; and C.H. Wind for mathematical physics and theoretical mechanics. After Wind had died unexpectedly on August 7, 1911, Julius wanted A. Einstein, at that time professor at the German University in Prague, to succeed him. On October 28, 1911, the Utrecht faculty of mathematics and natural sciences nominated Einstein first and P.J.W. Debije second candidate. However, on November 15, 1911, Einstein declined the appointment. He preferred to become professor at the Polytechnic at Zurich. The Utrecht faculty had to start the procedure all over again. The candidates this time were Debije, W.H. Keesom, L.S. Ornstein, and J.J. van Laar. Debije was supported bij Lorentz and Einstein; Keesom by H. Kamerlingh Onnes and by a Roman Catholic lobby. On February 3, 1912, Debije was appointed professor of theoretical physics. After only two years he left Utrecht for Gottingen, where he became professor of theoretical and experimental physics. Once again the Utrecht faculty of mathematics and natural sciences had to try and find a suitable successor. Candidates again included Ornstein and Keesom, and besides them G.J. Elias and N. Bohr. Debije and A. Sommerfeld supported Bohr's candidature, but Lorentz considered him a representative of the 'adventurous school' of theoretical physics. Because of these conflicting opinions, Bohr's name was not put on the list of candidates. On November 12, 1914, Ornstein was nominated no. 1, Keesom no. 2, and Elias no. 3. Ornstein was appointed professor of theoretical physics. He held the chair until November 1940, when the German occupiers fired him because of his Jewish origins.