Today, Ghost of William Penn's instruction touts Arthur Stanley Eddington (1882-1944), whose fame in astrophysics dims memory of his Quaker consternation as a wartime conscientious objector.
Caught he was: in 'tug' and 'war.'
Hear Ye! In a real way, in an indirect way, in an engaging way, Albert Einstein kept him from war service.
Princeton University's 1945 appreciation of Eddington placed him in broadest estimation. Quote: "The history of the past generation and the story of his work are inseparable."
Princeton University seemed to indicate that Eddington had gleamed equal stature to (Princeton's own) Albert Einstein. Note: No obituary of Eddington mentioned his standout consternation as a devote pacifist in WWI. That story gets told today.
Great Scientists are deep thinkers. Many loft as out of common touch. Arthur Stanley Eddington, imperfect, lived: Quaker mild friendly, Quaker imprint quiet.
Tho' poised sky absorbed, eye to telescope pressed, he ever throve an immediate Humanity wish for Peace on Earth. Yes! Peace on Earth was his fervent wish. He was opposed to all wars. This came to tested in WWI.
Eddington owed much to his Quaker father and much to another met with male model Quaker: John W. Graham of Manchester (1859-1932), who was a champion of Conscientious Objection to military roles. Graham revitalized Quaker pacifism. One may say that Arthur Eddington was Graham's most stirring listen-follower.
That said; ready set.
Enter: Please give greeting to instructor, Ghost of William Penn:
"It is a wonderful day in Pennsylvania and Delaware."
Hear Ye! Today I tout Arthur Stanley Eddington. Those closest called him 'Stanley.' My purpose is to speak of the humane man: his humanity.
Honest starter: Eddington was imperfect as is the case - with all - of human clay.
(W. P., note: Eddington has been titled the greatest astrophysicist of the first half of the 20th Century. Cross over contemporary: S. Chandrasekhar holds the same title for the second half century. Regarding 'title,' ego stakes could not have been higher. Briefly, in the cross mix of egos there were human weaknesses; feelings of supremacy and not a little sniff bias, too. A lesser yet an important part of this story needs a place hold, let me sway it in briefly.)
Chandrasekhar, India born, as such, was a 'Colonial,' hence in British science circles he was seen to be partaking an upstart's role of self confidence; above his station. No, not very Quaker was this battle. Of it enough said.
A cerebral whiz Eddington entered Trinity College Cambridge, at age 19. There was a before:
Stanley, as family called him, wowed!
His early aptitude for mathematics and his prowess at memory skills amazed. There seems no dispute that he had digested the 24 times 24 multiplication table before he could read. Too, he rallied a notice that he took a fascination with stars.
Observational interest in astronomy gleaned at age ten with the loan of a three-inch telescope. Soon he gave varied lectures on astronomical topics to a devoted house servant. Instruction at the Brynmelyn School in Weston heaped up academic ambitions, Prowess there multi-leveled. Cricket and soccer teams counted him.
A scholarship in 1898, at age sixteen, allowed him to enter Owen College, a non-conformist school which by then had become Victoria University. In 1902 the school became Manchester University. These facts fill out but what is significant is the fact that the school was presided over by a Quaker, John W. Graham (afore cited); whose foundation curriculum in science heightened Eddington intellectually.
In second year attendance 'he topped the class in Latin and English History as well as Mathematics and Mechanics.' Thereby, in 1902, he capped all with a B.S. degree in physics. Age nineteen he entered Trinity College Cambridge.
Hear ye note: For United States citizens WWI lasted but eighteen months: 1917-1918. For England it started in 1914 and consumed four horrid years. During the months August 1914 to March 1916, fight forces in Great Britain sustained of volunteers. In 1916 conscription was initiated. Eddington felt pangs but held to conviction.
A Quaker, Eddington avowed not fight and ready prepared to declare himself a conscientious objector. Re: These are different times from the First World War era. Then, social ostracism was the fare that confronted so-called (spat upon) 'C.O's.'
Fortunately the University and Academic community first obtained his exemption from service: it, the exemption, on the pledge he represented a national interest. The Ministry overseeing armed forces, however, proved almost implacable being foe ardent against wavers of exception.
At a hearing in June 1918 Eddington stated: 'I am a conscientious objector.' His stand he based on his Quaker pacifist upbringing by his parents.
W.P. - me, note:
In the 1600's, in my lifetime, it was dangerous to be a non-conformist Quaker. In the WWI era Quakers held a higher respect, but their non-conformity only went so far. Simply: Pacifism had no place in wartime.
More focused: At a follow-up Ministry hearing in June 1918, Eddington spoke more of his pacifism:
`My objection to war is based on religious grounds. ... Even if the abstention of conscientious objectors were to make the difference between victory and defeat, we cannot truly benefit the nation by willful disobedience to the divine will.'
At the close hearing on July 11, 1918, the Astronomer Royal supported the argument for Eddington's exemption with the proposal that he be consigned to undertake an expedition to observe the total eclipse in May of the following year.
The assignment was to foster a proper test of Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.
To do so:
A Board decision of exemption came of the proposal. It came granted, however, in the form of a twelve month extension; for him to conduct the test. Hence, soon Eddington had both eyes on Einstein's world shaking theoretic, via the eclipse.
The Board of Ministry decision held fast in long run; unto the War's end. By it:
By it Eddington gained his faith incumbent exemption. Given his sincere religious objections it was rightly owed. So far said, listen wth perk ears: The decision may have been a save face move on the part of the Ministry. The war was near close and the temporal grant permitted an appearance of control, by the Ministry.
No denial, however, it was a win of Conscious sake.
Eddington never married. After his father's passing he housed his mother and his sister. These women cared for him as he cared over them.
Life placed him hard put. Caught he had been, in tug and war. His conscious effort was won for him, but the war-win was larger than for any one individual. This account has end at a conscious sake marker.
"Your Governor thanks you for listening."