Born: 7 June 1862 · Died: 20 May 1947 · Age at death: 84
How old was Philipp Lenard when he died?
Philipp Lenard died aged 84. He was born on 7 June 1862 and died on 20 May 1947.
Nobel Prize-winning physicist who researched cathode rays
Did you know?He became a prominent supporter of the Nazi party and was an outspoken critic of what he termed "Jewish science".
Quick facts
Date of birth7 June 1862
Date of death20 May 1947
Age at death84
NationalityGerman
BirthplaceBratislava, Slovakia
Occupationphysicist, inventor, university teacher
Editor's Take:
Philipp Lenard was a skilled experimenter whose results helped launch modern physics. His work on light knocking electrons from metals gave Einstein crucial evidence for light quanta. Lenard came to resent the theorists who built on his work. He grew bitterly antisemitic and embraced Hitler early. He promoted a racist 'German physics' that rejected relativity. His story is a warning that scientific talent offers no protection against hatred. He died in 1947, discredited.
Key Milestones
1892: Develops a tube window to study cathode rays
1902: Publishes key photoelectric results
1905: Wins the Nobel Prize in Physics
1936: Publishes his book German Physics
Philipp Eduard Anton von Lenard (German:; 7 June 1862 – 20 May 1947) was a German experimental physicist who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1905 for his work on cathode rays.
