Warren Elliot Henry

Warren Elliot Henry (February 18, 1909 – October 31, 2001) was an American physicist, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his work in the fields of magnetism and superconductivity. He made significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology and education, training and mentoring several generations of physicists. He graduated in 1931 with a Bachelor of Science and as valedictorian of his class. Prior to continuing his studies, he served as a school principal at a segregated school in Atmore, Alabama.

While working towards his graduate degree, he taught classes at Spelman College and Morehouse College. He received a PhD in Physical Chemistry and Physics from the University of Chicago in 1941, with Dr. T.F. Young as an advisor, and graduated as the only Black person to receive the degree in his cohort of five candidates.

Henry later worked as a physicist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory from 1948–1960. During this time he invented a metal dewar for liquid helium, and a magnetic moment lift for moving samples in and out of a magnetic field. With Robert Hein, Henry established in 1957 that uranium is a semiconductor.

Henry formally retired in 1977, but he continued to devote his time to research and encouraging and helping new generations of scientists . He travelled worldwide giving talks and presentations and worked for years with the Minorities Access to Research Careers (MARC) program, established in 1975 by the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences. Henry founded the Committee on Minorities in Physics of the American Physical Society and was an early leader of the National Society of Black Physicists.

Personal life Henry was married to Jeanne Pearlson Henry and they had one daughter, Eva Henry.

Awards and recognitions Henry was a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. For 1974–75, he received the Outstanding Educator in America.

In 1999, his alma mater, the University of Chicago, awarded Henry a professional achievement citation to recognize his contributions to cryogenics and magnetism.