Faculty Papers: Peter Bergmann
Biography:
Peter G. Bergmann was born in Berlin, Germany in 1915. Bergmann received his Ph.D. in Physics from German University in 1936. From 1936-1941, he was a research associate and scientific collaborator of Albert Einstein at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton. Their principal interest was in unified field theories and, and more specifically the Kaluza Theory. It was during this period that Bergmann prepared his classic and authoritative book Introduction to the Theory of Relativity.
Bergmann joined the Syracuse University faculty in 1947. Bergmann was one of the speakers invited to present papers during ceremonies in 1955 at Berne, Switzerland, marking the 50th anniversary of Einstein's Theory of Relativity. During Bergmann's extensive stay at Syracuse University he served as a visiting professor at a number of universities. He was a member of the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Federation of American Scientists, and the International Society of General Relativity and Gravitation among others. He published several books on relativity and gravitation, and produced and endless list of research papers. Bergmann was appointed Professor Emeritus upon his retirement from Syracuse in 1982. He remained active in his field, working out of an office at New York University, until 1999 when he became seriously ill. Peter Bergmann died on Oct, 9, 2002 in Seattle, WA.