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Bryce DeWitt

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1923-2004 · quantum gravity, quantum field theory, cosmology
American theoretical physicist, one of the pioneers of quantum gravity. Together with John Wheeler, he derived the Wheeler-DeWitt equation—the fundamental equation of quantum cosmology. Made contributions to gauge theories, effective action, and quantum field theory in curved spacetime.

Biography

Born in California. Studied at Harvard, received his PhD under Julian Schwinger. Worked at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, then at the University of North Carolina, and later at the University of Texas at Austin. Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. Also known for work on the interpretation of quantum mechanics (he renamed Everett's many-worlds to 'many-worlds' and actively promoted it).

Key discoveries

💡 He and his wife Cécile DeWitt-Morette were a famous couple of physicists. Together they founded the summer school in theoretical physics in Les Houches, which became a breeding ground for Nobel laureates.
Quote: "The laws of physics must be such that a physicist can discover them."
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Related tags
spacetime curvatureentropy
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Wheeler-DeWitt equation
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Jacob BekensteinKarl SchwarzschildJoseph WeberEmmy NoetherWilhelm WienLudwig BoltzmannKip ThorneCharles Bennett

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