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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Walter Bartky

Assistant DirectorChicago, IL

Manhattan Project VeteranProject Worker/Staff

Walter Bartky (1901-1958) was an American educator and mathematician. He did both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Chicago. After receiving a Ph.D. from the university, he served on its faculty in the astronomy department. In 1943 he became associate dean of the University of Chicago’s Division of Physical Sciences.

During the Manhattan Project, Bartky served as the Metallurgical Laboratory’s associate director. Bartky was a signatory of the Szilard Petition. In 1945, he accompanied Leo Szilard and Harold Urey to present a memorandum to future Secretary of State James F. Byrnes that warned of the dangers of a nuclear arms race.

After the war, Bartky became dean of the Division of Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago. He later became vice president of the university in charge of special scientific programs.

Bartky died in Chicago, IL on March 19, 1958.

Walter Bartky’s Timeline
1901 Born.

1923 Received a B.S. from the University of Chicago.

1926 Received a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

1927 Became assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Chicago.

1932 Promoted to associate professor.

1943 Became professor of applied mathematics and associate dean in the Division of Physical Sciences.

19451955 Served as dean of the Division of Physical Sciences.

1955 Became vice president of the University of Chicago in charge of special scientific programs.

1958 Mar 19th Died in Chicago, IL.

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