Allen V. Astin

Allen Varley Astin (June 12, 1904 – January 28, 1984) was an American physicist who served as director of the United States National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology) from 1951 until 1969. During the Second World War he worked on the proximity fuse. He was an advocate for introduction of metric weights and measures to the United States. He was an elected member to the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Sciences.

Allen V. Astin
5th Director of the National Bureau of Standards
In office
1951–1969
President
Preceded byEdward Condon
Succeeded byLewis M. Branscomb
Personal details
Born
Allen Varley Astin

(1904-06-12)June 12, 1904
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
DiedJanuary 28, 1984(1984-01-28) (aged 79)
Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Spouse
  • Margaret L. Mackenzie
Children
Relatives
  • Mackenzie Astin (grandson)
  • Sean Astin (adoptive grandson)
Alma mater
  • University of Utah
  • New York University
Scientific career
FieldsPhysics
InstitutionsNational Bureau of Standards
ThesisNew method for measuring the dielectric constants of conducting liquids (1929)
Doctoral advisorW.A. Lewis
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