Frank E. Harris: The first 80 years

Abstract

It is with great pleasure that we offer this special issue of the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry in honor of Frank Harris' 80th birthday. Over the past half century, Frank has contributed much to atomic and molecular quantum mechanics, theoretical and computational, but he has also been an inspiration, friend, and colleague to many. Over the past years, Frank Harris has been associated with a number of universities and laboratories, where he has collaborated with a large variety of people. After earning an A.B. in Chemistry at Harvard, he did a PhD in Physical Chemistry at Berkeley, where he spent 3 years as an Assistant Professor. He joined the faculty at Stanford University in 1959, and then moved to the University of Utah in 1969, where he has been Professor of Physics and Chemistry for 40 years. In 1998 he was appointed Resident Adjunct at the Quantum Theory Project at the University of Florida, the only person to have been awarded that title. Frank Harris is a prolific scientist having authored nearly 250 published papers and three books. Over the years, he has had a wide range of interest (see the following listing of published papers) which has included studies of electronic structure and properties of atoms, molecules, and solids, as well as study and development of highly technical mathematical aspects of quantum chemistry. Frank lectured at the annual Scandinavian Summer Schools in the sixties through part of the eighties on electronic structure and numerical applications. It is estimated that in excess of two thousand young scientists have listened to Frank's lectures in these schools. In addition, Frank led some of the more severe hikes through the Norwegian and Swedish mountains as part of the total experience of these international educational events. Frank is still in good physical shape, and it is exhausting to just watch his frequent commutes between Florida and Utah. In addition to his science, Frank is an accomplished musician, with a special interest in composing and playing piano rags. The large number of scientists who have answered the call to honor Frank by contributing to this issue is a testimony to the high esteem that the community of quantum chemists hold Frank and his contributions to the field. From all who are friends and colleagues of Frank Harris, we thank him for the last 80 years and wish him the best in the times to come.