ABOUT & CONTACT
Photo above: Harlow Shapley at the rotating desk that he used as Director of Harvard College Observatory from 1921-1952. The sections helped him manage the diverse activities of his long influential career. The desk was built for Edward C. Pickering, Director from 1877-1919. Photo ca. 1940: AIP/ESVA Shapley Collection
Harlow Shapley is one of the most important figures in the history of science due to his discovery of the center of our galaxy and our true place in it. He made other breakthroughs that were basic to astronomy. He was a prolific writer and gifted public figure. He was an internationalist, liberal, and humanitarian. Over four decades, through the news media, books and lectures he explained science and astronomy to the public.
But awareness and even mentions of Shapley have lapsed since his death in 1972.
I am one of the few left who knew him well. Now, as a professional historian and journalist (see Debthink) I find much of the story is missing from standard literature. This project's goal is to reintroduce Shapley from a modern perspective and as the person we knew.
So! You just landed on a new planet - the online hub of the Harlow Shapley Project! Poke around! You’ll find a complete Bibliography of Shapley’s publications and Lloyd, a section with videos about the Shapleys’ Nobel laureate son. Other posts describe the Shapleys’ abolitionist ancestors, Martha Shapley as an astronomer, life at the observatory residence in the Shapley years. My Mount Wilson lecture slides tell how Shapley publicized “we are not alone” for years before Sagan. In January I posted a new view of the Shapley-Curtis ‘Great Debate.’ Post texts are searchable.
You can help us bring together the facets of the Shapley story.
Send questions and suggestions with the form below. The project’s expert team and cache of content is growing. How can we advance your interest in this complex, breakthrough era of modern science?
Shapley Family Orchestra at 60 Garden Street Residence in December 1951. Martha and Lloyd Shapley are at the piano. From left: Alan Shapley and June Matthews on cello, Ralph Matthews on bass, Mildred Shapley Matthews on viola, Sarah Shapley on flute, Bruce Matthews on violin. At rear is Willis Shapley on flute. The two children are Melvin Matthews (right) and Deborah Shapley (left). Shapley Family Collection
Our family has had this photo around for years, but until recently I had no idea the little girl in the photo was me! Int December, my cousins June and Bruce Matthews found a print of it in one of Mildred’s scrapbooks. She noted marked the dates (of course). The occasion was the family’s last Christmas in the Director’s Residence, in December 1951. So I am 6! It figures!
FAMILY
Martha Betz Shapley (1890 - 1981) (wife) See Martha Shapley - Astronomer and Bang! Goes the Universe Martha Shapley (podcast)
Mildred Shapley Matthews (1915-2016) See Close-up: Life with the Director
Willis Harlow Shapley (1917-2005)
Alan Horace Shapley (1919-2006)
Lloyd Stowell Shapley (1923-2016) See Lloyd Shapley - Nobelist and Lloyd Centennial
Carl Betz Shapley (1927-2012)
John Shapley (1890-1978) (brother)
Fern Rusk Shapley (1890-1984) (John Shapley’s wife)
PROJECT TEAM
Available and know a lot! Thomas J. Bogdan, Sophia Ojha, Dale Dermott, Chris Barylick. Special thanks to Peter Shapley and June Matthews.
Expert assistance: Jeff Kanipe, Tim Thompson, JoAnn Palmeri. Owen Gingerich (1930-2023) provided encouragement and guidance.
Collections: Wolbach Library Harvard CfA Smithsonian; Harvard University Archives;US Naval Observatory Gilles Library, Huntington Library; Mount Wilson Observatory.
Interviews and feedback: leading historians and also members of the public, young and old, who are the audience for this project.