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November 22, 2007

So Long, Sidney

After a long illness, Sidney Coleman passed away this week. I last saw him 2 1/2 years ago, and, even then, the toll his disease had taken was rather painful to see.

In his heyday, he was a figure to be reckoned-with. Few understood physics more deeply and none could explain it more lucidly. But it was his (mostly self-deprecating) wit that endeared him to us all. Luboš Motl’s now-classic photo:

Coleman in a playful pose

captures the spirit of the Sidney we all remember. I learned a tremendous amount from my erstwhile Adviser. The world of Physics — my world — is poorer without him.

There are some lovely reminiscences at Betsy Devine’s and at CosmicVariance.

Posted by distler at November 22, 2007 1:49 AM

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3 Comments & 0 Trackbacks

Re: So Long, Sidney

Is there any way I can get my hands on the QFT lecture notes I’ve been hearing so much about but could never quite find? I’ve always wanted to check them out.

Posted by: Vince on November 22, 2007 10:23 AM | Permalink | Reply to this

Re: So Long, Sidney

I was fortunate to be able to learn from Sidney in grad school. He *always* had time for any student, and explained in such clear, but deep, terms that I always came away truly enlightened.

I will miss him :-(

Posted by: Markinsanfran on November 24, 2007 3:11 PM | Permalink | Reply to this

Re: So Long, Sidney

Sad to see him go. He must be a good and funny guy based on the picture.

Posted by: minyak lintah on February 7, 2008 2:45 PM | Permalink | Reply to this

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