Hendrika Johanna van Leeuwen

Hendrika Johanna van Leeuwen (July 3, 1887 – February 26, 1974) was a Dutch physicist known for her early contributions to the theory of magnetism. She studied at Leiden University under the guidance of Hendrik Antoon Lorentz, obtaining her doctorate in 1919. Her thesis [1][2] explained why magnetism is an essentially quantum mechanical effect,[3] a result now referred to as the Bohr–van Leeuwen theorem. (Niels Bohr had arrived at the same conclusion a few years earlier.) She continued to investigate magnetic materials at the "Technische Hogeschool Delft" (now called the Delft University of Technology), first as "assistant" between September 1920 and April 1947, and then she was promoted to "lector in de theoretische en toegepaste natuurkunde" (reader in theoretical and applied physics).[4][5]

Hendrika Johanna van Leeuwen
Born(1887-07-03)July 3, 1887
The Hague
DiedFebruary 26, 1974(1974-02-26) (aged 87)
Delft
Alma materLeiden University
Known forBohr-van Leeuwen theorem
Spouse(s)none
Scientific career
FieldsPhysicist
InstitutionsDelft University of Technology
ThesisVraagstukken uit de electronentheorie van het magnetisme (1919)
Doctoral advisorHendrik Antoon Lorentz

Hendrika van Leeuwen was the sister-in-law of Gunnar Nordström, known as the "Einstein of Finland", who studied in Leiden with Paul Ehrenfest, the successor of Lorentz. Her sister Cornelia (Nel) also started a PhD in Leiden, under Willem Keesom, but stopped when she married Nordström and moved with him to Helsinki.[5]

Van Leeuwen was present at the celebration of the golden anniversary of the doctorate of Lorentz, on 11 December 1925,[6] and on that occasion reported on the role of Lorentz as scientist and teacher.[7]

References
  1. Hendrika Johanna van Leeuwen (1919). "Vraagstukken uit de electronentheorie van het magnetisme" (PDF) (in Dutch).
  2. van Leeuwen, Hendrika Johanna (1921). "Problèmes de la théorie électronique du magnétisme". Journal de Physique et le Radium. 2 (12): 361–377.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Daniel D. Stancil; Anil Prabhakar (2009). Spin Waves: Theory and Applications. Springer. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-387-77864-8.
  4. de Jong, Frida (1997). "Standhouden in Delft". Gewina. 20 (4): 227–242. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-02-20. Shortly after the war it was very difficult for the TH [Technische Hogeschool] to get academic staff. Wages were low compared with those in industry and laboratory facilities were less. At that time, shortly after each other, three women were appointed lecturer: Hendrika van Leeuwen in 1947 in theoretical and applied physics; Antonia Korvezee in 1948 in physical chemistry; and Jentina Leene in 1949 in fibre technology. These three ladies were all from an older generation, trained with a Ph.D. well before the war, and unmarried.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  5. Kloek, Els, ed. (2018). 1001 vrouwen in de 20ste eeuw. Nijmegen: Vantilt. pp. 460–461. ISBN 9789460043864.
  6. In the photograph of the dinner guests H.J. van Leeuwen is standing to the left of Albert Einstein, below Niels Bohr.
  7. van Leeuwen, H.J. (11 December 1925). "Professor dr. H.A. Lorentz bij zijn gouden doctoraat". Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant. p. 9. The English translation of the Dutch text reads: For us, his pupils, Lorentz was not only the great scientist, but also an example to follow as a friendly, upbeat person with a great sense of duty, admirable simplicity and warm interest for all around him. Many a great physicist enjoyed being one of Lorentz's students for a shorter or longer period of time. There is no better way to honor our great teacher, than to attempt to continue our own work with all our strengths, enthusiasm and care.

Further reading
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