New Haven, CT, 28 February 2003; Austin, TX, 3 March 2003; College Park, MD, 5-6 March 2003

     J. Willard Gibbs (1839-1903), Professor of Mathematical Physics at Yale University, was one of the most important American scientists of the 19th century, although his achievements were recognized in Europe before they became known in his own country.  His formulation of the laws and concepts of thermodynamics is a fundamental part of theoretical physics and physical chemistry; it has found widespread applications in research on the properties of matter and in engineering.  In 1902, Gibbs published his classic book, Elementary Principles in Statistical Mechanics, in which, building on the work of Maxwell and Boltzmann, he established (and named) a new branch of theoretical physics.  Statistical mechanics proved to be the best way to treat systems of a large number of atoms and molecules, as well as photons and other particles, especially when quantum effects play a crucial role.  In addition, the technique of vector analysis, which Gibbs published in 1901, is widely used in calculations involving quantities that have spatial direction as well as magnitude.

     The following sessions have been planned to celebrate the double centennial of Gibbs and statistical mechanics:

1.  At New Haven, a symposium on Friday, February 28, 2003, 1 pm -6 pm, sponsored by Yale University
2.  At Austin, a symposium on Monday, March 3, 2003, sponsored by the Forum on History of Physics of the American Physical Society
3.  At College Park, a two-part symposium on Wednesday and Thursday, March 5 and 6, 2003, 4 pm - 6 pm, sponsored jointly by the University of Maryland, through the Institute for Physical Science & Technology, the Committee on Philosophy & the Sciences, and the Chemical Physics Graduate Program; and by the National Institute for Standards and Technology.

     For further information (regarding Session 1) contact Prof. Daniel Kevles, Department of History, Yale University, <daniel.kevles@yale.edu> or (regarding Session 2),  Prof. Michael E. Fisher, Institute for Physical Science & Technology, University of Maryland <claremon@ipst.umd.edu> or (regarding Session 3) Prof. Stephen G. Brush, Department of History and Institute for Physical Science & Technology, University of Maryland <>