Sidney Coleman

Memoir by Howard Georgi

Sidney Coleman, luminary in the world of theoretical physics, left an indelible mark on the field with his groundbreaking contributions to quantum field theory, particle physics, and statistical mechanics. Born in 1937, his brilliant mind illuminated the deepest corners of the universe, and his gift for teaching made complex concepts accessible to all. As a revered professor at Harvard University for 43 years, his captivating lectures inspired generations of physicists, leaving an enduring legacy in the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to learn from him. Sidney Coleman’s pioneering work on quantum chromodynamics and the Higgs boson, among other areas, forever altered our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the universe. He was an eccentric character with many stories, and was known for teaching in a wool purple polyester suit. Coleman’s involvement at Aspen Center for Physics included: being appointed Trustee from 1981 – 1987 & 1995 – 2001, General Member from 1981 – 1987 & 1990 – 2005,  and Honorary Member from 1990 – 2007. Coleman passed on Nov. 18th, 2007, after a five-year struggle with Parkinson disease, at 70 years of age. 

“Coleman received many awards: the Boris Pregel Award from the New York Academy of Sciences; the Award for Lectures in Physics, Centro Ettore Majorana (International School of Physics, Erice); the Dirac Medal from the International Centre for Theoretical Physics; and the Dannie Heineman Prize from the American Physical Society. He was a fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences in 1980.

Coleman’s wit could be as biting as it was clever, and his friends bore the brunt of this and loved it. They could count on him to keep their head sizes under control. “Courtesy,” Coleman argued, “is for strangers. Kindness is for friends.” Health problems bedeviled the end of Coleman’s life and deprived the world of what would surely have been affectionately irreverent elder statesmanship. In the words of Sheldon Glashow, one of Coleman’s best friends throughout his adult life, and in a scientific association of almost 40 years Coleman’s first and last collaborator on theoretical particle physics (Coleman and Glashow, 1961, 1962, 1964,1997, 1998, 1999; Coleman et al., 1964, 1966): “Sidney was both an incomparable teacher and the most learned sage and sharpest critic in the world of theoretical physics: He was Pauli’s tongue in Einstein’s image. We have been deprived all too soon of one of our generation’s most profound and imaginative minds.” 

Sidney Coleman is survived by his wife of 25 years, Diana Coleman of Cambridge, Massachusetts; and his brother, Robert Coleman of Albany, California; and many friends and admirers around the world. We once had something unique and wonderful, and it is gone. 

Much of this memoir was written while I was at the Aspen Center for Physics. For many years Coleman would spend every other summer at the center. He was very proud of having learned to ride a bicycle there 20 years ago. His wife Diana taught him to ride on the tennis courts near the center, and cycling became an important part of his life. He cared deeply about the Aspen Center for Physics and at various times was an advisory board member and trustee. It was inspiring to remember Coleman’s contributions in a place that along with Erice, in Italy, he loved as much as any place in the world. I hope that this memoir will serve as a lasting reminder of the contributions of the Aspen Center for Physics to the community.”

Full memoir of Sidney Coleman by Howard Georgi, as published in the National Academy of Sciences (2011) is available here.