William T. Golden
William T. Golden | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date New York City, U.S. |
| Died | October 7, 2007 (aged 97) |
| Occupation(s) | Investment banker, philanthropist, science advisor |
| Known for | Advisor in the scientific community, instrumental in creation of National Science Foundation |
| Notable work | Contributions to U.S. Navy's Bureau of Ordnance, United States Atomic Energy Commission, AAAS Lifetime Achievement Award |
William T. Golden (October 25, 1909 – October 7, 2007) was a prominent American figure known for his work as an investment banker, philanthropist, and advisor in the scientific community.
Hailing from New York City, Golden was born to parents who immigrated from Lithuania. His father shifted careers from the textile industry to banking. Demonstrating an early passion for technology, Golden obtained a ham radio license at the age of 13. He earned his undergraduate degree in English and biology at the University of Pennsylvania, pursued studies at Harvard Business School, and later acquired a master's degree in biology from Columbia University in 1979. Throughout his life, he was also awarded five honorary doctorates.
During the period of World War II, Golden contributed to the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Ordnance, focusing on advancements in antiaircraft weaponry. After the war, he worked alongside Lewis Strauss at the United States Atomic Energy Commission. In the 1950s, when President Harry Truman contemplated reviving the wartime Office of Scientific Research and Development, Golden recommended appointing a presidential science adviser instead. This suggestion led to Oliver Ellsworth Buckley's selection for the role. Additionally, Golden was instrumental in the creation of the National Science Foundation under Truman’s leadership.
Golden held board positions with several prestigious organizations, including the Carnegie Institution for Science, the American Museum of Natural History, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In recognition of his contributions, the AAAS headquarters was named the William T. Golden Center for Science and Engineering in 1995. He was honored with the AAAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. His memberships included the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Sciences.
He was married three times: first to Sibyl Levy, with whom he had two daughters; then to mathematician Jean Taylor; and finally to Catherine Morrison.