Hertha Sponer

1895-1968

Hertha Sponer 1895-1968 Photo © GNT-Verlag, Germany

Hertha Sponer was born in Germany in 1895. At that time it was hard to obtain a good education. She had a difficult time getting the right school education as well as an entry into the university in order to study physics. She finally became an assitant to James Franck at Göttingen University where she became Professor of Physics in 1932. Although being non-jewish she left Germany and became a professor at Duke University, North Carolina. She married Franck in 1946. She returned to Germany in the 1960s where she died, probably of an illness like Alzheimer's, in 1968. For a biography (in German), based on a thesis, see here.

Hertha Sponer in 1933 Photo © GNT-Verlag, Germany

Hertha Sponer Austin 1955

Um ihr Leben der Physik widmen zu können, mußte die 1895 geborene Hertha Sponer erhebliche Widerstände ihrer männlich geprägten Umwelt überwinden und sich gegen vielerlei Vorurteile durchsetzen. Sie erlangte das Abitur auf Umwegen, studierte Physik und verzichtete auf ein Familienleben. Sie hatte immerhin das Glück, Mitarbeiterin von James Franck in Göttingen zu werden, der sie nach Kräften förderte. 1932 wurde sie zur Professorin ernannt. Doch kaum hatten die Nationalsozialisten die Macht ergriffen, verlor sie ihre Stelle wieder. Obwohl sie als Nichtjüdin nicht emigrieren mußte, sah sie doch für sich keine Zukunft mehr in Deutschland und ging über Norwegen schließlich in die USA. Eine zweite Karriere an der Duke University in North Carolina sicherte ihr als reife Frau eine weiteres Mal ihre Stellung in der Gemeinschaft der Wissenschaftler. 1946 heiratete Hertha Sponer ihren alten Freund und Mentor, den in Chicago lebenden und verwitweten James Franck. Beide behielten jedoch ihre akademischen Stellungen bei und konnten deshalb nur einige Wochen im Jahr zusammen leben. Hertha Sponer starb 1968 in Deutschland. Die Autorin hat es verstanden, aus den schriftlichen Hinterlassenschaften von Hertha Sponer und James Franck ein bewegendes Lebensbild einer Physikerin im 20. Jahrhundert zu zeichnen. Please note : The above text was (presently 1/2003) taken from the back cover of her biography. Actually I intend to make an short abstract resulting from her German biography at this page.

 
1895	Sept. 1       Born in Neisse/Silesia/Germany (now Poland)
1917	Mar. 28       Finishes school with 'Abitur' at the Realgymnasium in Neisse
1917    May  10       Enrolls at the University of Tübingen/Germany
1918	April         Changes to the University of Göttingen/Germany
1920	March 17      Doctorate, with a theoretical thesis under Debye
1920    March         Begins to work at the Physics Department of the 
                      Kaiser Wilhelm Institut for 1 year
1921	April 1       Obtains a post comparable to an Assistant Professor
                      ('Außerplanmäßger Professor')
1925	Oct. 22       'Venia Legendi' in physics
1925	Oct.          Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship stay at Berkely Univ. Calif.
                      till Oct. 1926
1926	Dec. 10       Nobel Prize for James Franck und Gustav Hertz given for 1925
1929	Jan., Feb.    Meitner, Hahn, Haber and Franck quarrel over a permanent
                      assignment of Sponer to the prestigious Kaiser Wilhelm Institut
                      in Berlin
1930	Oct. 1.       'First Assistent' to James Franck
1932	Jan 26        Named 'a.o. Professor', something like 'Associate Professor'
1933	April         James Franck resigns
	November      James Franck leaves Göttingen
1934	Oct. 1        She resigns from the Service (meaning loss of functions, pay,
                      social services)
1934	Nov 15        Moves to Oslo
1934    Nov. 30       Departure to Madrid for a short lecture series
1936	Feb.          Starts her appointment at Duke University in Durham,
                      North Carolina
1938	Jan. 14       Disqualified for lecturing in Germany
1940	              Associate Editor of the Journal of Chemical Physics,
                      till 1942
1946	June 29       Marries James Franck, Chicago
1949	Oct.          Moves to the new building of the Department in Durham
1952	summer        stays at Uppsala for 1 year
1962	Sept.         Travels to Japan und India for a series of lectures
1964	May 21        James Franck dies at Göttingen
1967	March 1       Incapacitated due to mental disorders at Celle/Germany.
1968	Febr. 17      Dies at Ilten/Hannover/Germany from an illness probably similar
                      to Alzheimer's desease.

Book:

Hertha Sponer, Molekülspektren und ihre Anwendnungen auf chemische Probleme.
Band I, Tabellen. Berlin, 1935.
Band II, Text. Berlin, 1936

Papers:

H. Sponer, Über die Häufigkeit unelastischer Zusammenstöße von Elektronen mit Quecksilberatomen,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 7, 185-200 (1921).

H. Sponer, Über ultrarote Absorption zweiatomiger Gase,
Jahrbuch der Philosophie, Fakultät d. Univ. Göttingen 1921, 153-160 (1921).

H. Sponer, R. Minkowski, Über die freie Weglänge langsamer Elektronen in Gasen,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 15, 399-408 (1923).

H. Sponer, Über die freie Weglange langsamer Elektronen in Edelgasen,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 18, 249-257 (1923,

H. Sponer, R. Minkowski, Über den Durchgang von Elektronen durch Atome,
Ergebnisse der exakten Naturwissenschaften, 3, 67-85 (1924).

H. Sponer, Über Spektren elektrisch zerstäubter Drähte,
Naturwiss., 12, 619-120 (1924).

H. Sponer, Bemerkungen zum Serienspektrum von Zinn und Blei,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 32, 19-26 (1925).

H. Sponer, Anregungspotentiale der Bandenspektren des Stickstoffs,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 34, 622-633 (1925).

H. Sponer, Probleme und Methoden der Vakuumspektroskopie,
Naturwiss., 14, 3 56-364 (1926).

H. Sponer, Zur Frage der Dissoziationsarbeit von Stickstoff und Sauerstoff,
Naturwiss., 14, 275 (1926).

H. Sponer, The Energy Levels of the Nitric Oxide Molecule,
Nature, 117, 81 (1926).

H. Sponer, T. Birge, The Heat of Dissociation of Non-Polar Molecules,
Phys. Rev., 28, 259-283 (1926).

H. Sponer, Absorption Bands in Nitrogen,
Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 13, 100-104 (??).

H. Sponer, Die Absorptionsbanden des Stickstoffs,
Zeitschrift fürf Physik, 41, 611-618 (1927).

H. Sponer, Optische Bestimnmng der Dissoziationswärmen von Gasen,
Ergebnisse der exakten Naturwiss., 6, 75-103 (1927).

H. Sponer, Lichtabsorption und Bindungsart von Molekülen der Gase und Dämpfe,
Zeitschr. Elektrochem. und angew. phys. Chemie, 34, 483-489 (1928).

H. Sponer, James Franck, Beitrag zur Bestimmung der Dissoziationsarbeit von Molekülen aus Bandenspektren,
Göttinger Nachrichten, 241-253 (1928).

H. Sponer, W.W. Watson, Die Molekülabsorption des Jods im Vakuumultraviolett,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 56, 184-196 (1929).

H. Sponer, H. Cordes, Die Molekülabsorption des Chlors, Broms, Jodchlorids und Jodbromids im äussersten Ultraviolett,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 63, 334-344 (1930).

H. Sponer, Der photochemische Primärprozess,
Zeitschrift für Angew. Chem., 43, 823-830 (1930).

H H. Sponer, Spektroskopisch bestimmte Dissoziationsarbeiten von Molekülen,
Landoldt-Börnstein, 2. Erg. Bd., 1611-1620 (1931,

H. Sponer, Zu den Bildungswärmen der gasförmigen Quecksilber-, Calcium- und Zinkhalogenide,
Zeitschrift für Physik. Chem., 11, 425-432 (1931).

H. Sponer, Bandenspektren und Dissoziation.
Leipziger Vorträge, 107-130 (??)

H. Sponer, Chemische Dissoziation in ihrer Beziehung zu den Spektren.
Forschungen und Fortschritte, 8, 346-347 (1931,1932).

James Franck, Hertha Sponer, Edward Teller, Bemerkungen über die Prädissoziation dreiatomiger Moleküle.
Zeitschrift für Physik. Chem., 18, 88-101 (1932).

H. Sponer, H. Cordes, Die Molekülabsorption der gemischten Halogenmoleküle im Vakuumultraviolett,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 79, 170-185, (1932).

H. Sponer. G. Herzberg, Über die Dissoziationswärme des Stickstoffmoleküls,
Zeitschrift für Physik Chem., B 26, 1-7 (1934).

H. Sponer, Heinz Maier-Leibmtz, Über die ldeinsten Anregungsspannungen des Stickstoffmoleküs,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 89, 431-436 (1934).

H. Sponer, Los espectros de las moleculas y su aplicacion a los problemas quimices,
Anales Sociedad Espanola de Fisica y Quimica, 33, 167, 222, 275,343 (1935).

H. Sponer, Spektroskopisch bestimmte Dissoziationsarbeiten von Molekülen,
Landolt-Börnstein, 3. Ergänz. Bd., 2871 (1936).

H. Sponer, M. Bruch-Willstütter, The Lattice Energy of Solid CO₂,
J. Chem. Phys., 5, 745-751 (1937).

H. Sponer, Nettie H. Coy, Evidence for a Band System of Antimony Nitride,
Phys. Rev., 53, 495 (1938).

H. Sponer, Recent Developments in Band Spectroscopy of Polyatomic Molecules,
Occasional Publications of the Am. Assoc. for the Advanc. of Science, 7, 108-116 (1938).

H. Sponer, G. Nordheim, A. L. Sklar, E. Teller, Analysis of the Near Ultraviolet Electronic Transition of Benzene,
J. Chem. Phys., 7, 207-220 (1939).

H. Sponer, E. Teller, On the Application of the Franck-Condon Principle to the Absorption Spectrum of HgCl₂ ,
J. Chem. Phys., 7, 382 (1939).

H. Sponer, G. Nordheim, E. Teller, Note on the Ultraviolet Absorption Systems of Benzene Vapor,
J. Chem. Phys., 8, 705-710 (1940).

H. Sponer, Nettie H. Coy, Emmission Spectrum of Antimony Nitride,
Phys. Rev., 58, 709-713 (1940).

H. Sponer, L. G. Bonner, Note on the Continuous Absorptions of N₂O,
J. Chem. Phys, 8, 33-37 (1940).

H. Sponer, Near Ultraviolet Absorption System of Heavy Benzene,
J. Chem. Phys, 8, 705-710 (1940).

H. Sponer. A. P. Cleaves, L. G. Bonner, The Absorption Spectra of Gaseous Methylamine and Dimethylamine in the Photographic Infrared,
J. Chem. Phys., 8, 784-787 (1940).

H. Sponer, E. Teller, Electronic Spectra of Polyatomic Molecules,
Rev. Mod. Phys, 13, 75-170 (1941).

H. Sponer, J. Kirby-Smith, The Raman Spectra of Mono- and Dichlorbenzenes,
J. Chem. Phys., 9, 816-825 (1941).

H. Sponer, H. Wollman, Analysis of the Near Ultraviolet Absorption Spectrum of Monochlorbenzene,
J. Chem. Phys., 10, 575-581 (1942).

H. Sponer, C. A. Beck, The Near Ultraviolet Absorption Spectrum of Monodeuterobenzene,
J. Chem. Phys., 10, 575-581 (1942).

H. Sponer, Ultraviolet Absorption Spectra of Substituted Benzenes,
Rev. Mod. Phys. , 14, 224-231 (1942).

H. Sponer, Remarks on the Absorption Spectra of Phenylalanine and Tyrosine in Connection with the Absorption in Toluene and Paracresol,
J. Chem. Phys., 10, 672-676 (1942).

H. Sponer, G. Nordheim, Determination of Chlorine Vibrations in Dichlorbenzenes from Intensities and Polarization of their Raman Lines,
J. Chem. Phys, 11, 253-262 (1943).

H. Sponer, The Near Ultraviolet Absorption of Pyridine Vapor,
Rev. Mod. Phys., 16, 244-225 (1944).

H. Sponer, Hildegard Stücklen, The Near Ultraviolet Absorption of Pyridine Vapor,
J. Chem. Phys., 14, 101-112 (1946).

H. Sponer, Electronic Transitions in Trisubstituted Benzenes in the Near Ultraviolet,
Chem. Rev., 41, 281-291 (1947).

H. Sponer, Maurice B. Hall, Mary Jane Stallcup, Analysis of the Near Ultra- Violet Absorption Spectra of some Trisubstituted Benzenes,
article in: "Contributions a l’étude de la structure moléculaire", Liège, Belgium, 211-227 (1948).

H. Sponer, James Franck, Comparison between Predissociation and Internal Conversion in Polyatomic Molecules,
article in: "Contributions a l’étude de la structure moléculaire", Liège, Belgium, 169-178 (1948).

H. Sponer, Hedwig Kohn, Absorption Spectrum of 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene in the Near Ultraviolet,
J. Opt. Soc. Am., 39, 75-85 (1949).

H. Sponer, J. H. Rush, Near Ultraviolet Absorption Spectra of the Isomeric Picolines,
J. Chem. Phys., 17, 587 (1949).

H. Sponer, D. Lowe, Absorption Spectrum of Benzotrifluoride Vapor in the Near Ultraviolet,
J. Opt. Soc. Am., 39, 840-846 (1949).

H. Sponer, Arnold M. Bass, Fluorescence Studies of some Simple Benzene Derivates in the Near Ultraviolet. I Fluorobenzene and Chlorobenzene.
J. Opt. Soc. Am., ??, 389-396 (1950).

H. Sponer, Gertrud P. Nordheim, Discussion of the Lowest Singulet Transition in Naphtalene as a Forbidden Transition A_1g-A_1g and Remarks on the Higher Singulet Levels,
Discussions of the Faraday Society, 9, 19-26 (1950).

H. Sponer, C. D. Cooper, Spectroscopic Studies in the near ultraviolet of the three isomeric Dimethylbenzene vapor II. Absorption Spectra of Meta- and Ortho- Dimethylbenzene,
J. Chem. Phys., 20, 1248-1259 (1952).

H. Sponer, Mantrala L. N. Sastri, Fluorescence Studies of some Simple Benzene Derivates in the Near Ultraviolet. III. Benzofluoride,
J. Chem. Phys., 20, 1428-1431 (1952).

H. Sponer, Gertrud P. Nordheim, On the Calculation of Electronic Levels in Pyridine and the Isomeric Picolines,
J. Chem. Phys., 20, 285-287 (1952).

H. Sponer, K. F. Herzfeld, Der Einfluss der Schwingung auf verbotene Elektronenübergänge,
Zeitschrift für Physik, 133, 41-47 (1952).

H. Sponer, J. H. Rush, Absorption Studies of the Vapors of the Three Isomeric Picolines in the Near Ultraviolet,
J. Chem. Phys., 20, 1847-1862 (1952).

H. Sponer, R. H. Knipe, C. D. Cooper, Temperature Dependence of the Naphtalene Bands at 3200-2900 Å,
J. Chem. Phys., 21, 376 (1953).

H. Sponer, Wavelength Shifts in the Near Ultraviolet Spectra of Fluorinated Benzenes,
J. Chem. Phys., 22, 234 (1954).

H. Sponer, P. 0. Löwdin, Les Niveaux d’Energie Electronique dans l’Ethylène,
J. Phys. Rad., 15, 607-611 (1954).

H. Sponer, C. D. Cooper, Vapor Absorption Spectra of Light and Heavy Naphtalenes at 2900-2500 Å,
J. Chem. Phys., 23, 646-657 (1955).

H. Sponer, Electronic Spectroscopy.
Annual Review of Phys. Chem., 6, (193-216 (1955).

H. Sponer, James Franck, Remarks on Radiationless Transition in Complex Molecules,
J. Chem. Phys., 23, 172 (1956).

H. Sponer, K. Narahari Rao, The Near Ultraviolet Absorption Spectrum of 1,2,4-Trifluorobenzene Vapor,
Can. J. Phy , 35, 332-340 (1957).

H. Sponer, Harold P. Stephenson, Near Ultraviolet Absorption Spectra of the Pyridine Monocarboxylic Acids in Water and Ethanol Solutions,
J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 79, 2050-2056 (1958).

H. Sponer, Y. Kanda Triplet-Singulet Emission Spectra of Solid Toluene at 4 K and 77 K and in EPA Solution at 77 K,
J. Chem. Phys., 28, 798-806, (1958).

H. Sponer, Y. Kanda, Lawrence A. Blackwell, Delayed Fluorescence in Naphtalene Crystals at 4 K,
J. Chem. Phys., 29, 721 (1958).

H. Sponer, Intra- and Intermolecular Radiationless Quantum Transitions in Complex Molecules,
Radiation Research, Supplement 1, 558-575 (1959).

H. Sponer, Y. Kanda, Lawrence A. Blackwell, Triplet-Singulet Emission Spectra of Benzene in a Crystalline Matrix of Cyclohexane at 4,2 K and 77 K,
Spectrochimica Acta, 16, 1135-1147 (1960).

H. Sponer, Emission Spectra in Crystalline Naphtalene,
Conf. on Electronic Conductivity in Organic Solids, Interscience Publishers, New York, (1960).

Lawrence A. Blackwell, Yoshiya Kanda, H. Sponer, Triplet-Singlet Emission Spectra of Xylenes in Crystalline State at 4,2 K and 77 K, and in EPA at 77 K,
J. Chem. Phy., 32, 1465-1476, (1960).

H. Sponer, John Spangler, Environmental Effects on the Longest Benzene Absorption in a Crystalline Cyclohexane Matrix,
Spectrochim. Acta, 17, 1298-1299 (1961).

H. Sponer, Delayed Fluorescence and Phosphorescence in Crystals of Aromatic Molecules at 4,2 K,
Papers of Luminescence of Organic and Inorganic Materials, John Wiley and Sons, 143-152 (1962).

H. Sponer, John Spangler, Environmental Effects on the Near Ultraviolet Absorption and Emission Spectra of Benzene in a Crystalline Matrix of Cyclohexane,
Spectrochimica Acta, 19, 169-187 (1963).

H. Sponer, Dolores Olness, Phosphorescence Lifetime Studies in Some Organic Crystals at Low Temperatures,
J. Chem. Phys., 38, 1779-1782 (1963).

H. Sponer, Yoshiya Kanda, Triplet-Singulet Luminescence from methylated Benzenes in the Crystalline State and in Rigid Glass Solutions,
J. Chem. Phys, 40, 778-787 (1964).