Peter Debye (1884-1966) – Ein typischer Wissenschaftler in untypischer Zeit

Abstract

The paper provides an overview of the life and work of Peter Debye. Debye was internationally renowned for his work on molecular structure and received the 1936 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. A Dutch citizen, Debye spent most of his life in Germany and made his academic career there, finally becoming director of the prestigious Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics in Berlin from 1935 to 1939. During these years, when Germany was ruled by the Nazi movement, Debye became involved in political affairs. This paper analyzes the political context of Debye's behaviour at that time as well as the circumstances surrounding his emigration to the United State in 1940. Both his acceptance in the United States and the criticism he received from émigrés and colleagues are also discussed in detail along with other historical sources.