Henry Norris Russell Lectureship
The Russell Lecturer is normally chosen annually on the basis of a lifetime of eminence in astronomical research. The award includes a suitably engraved certificate, an invitation to deliver a lecture dealing with a broad astronomical field at a meeting designated by the Board of Trustees, travel expenses to the meeting at which the Russell Lecture is given, and publication of the lecture (or research related to the subject of the prize, though publication of the lecture is strongly preferred) in a Society journal.
Self-nominations are allowed. Nominations are open and are due on 30 June.
View Nomination Checklist View Ethics Self-Disclosure Form
2023 - Frank Shu
For his seminal contributions to theoretical astrophysics, from the formation of stars and planetary systems to the structure of disk galaxies; for his sustained leadership in the global astronomical community.
2022 - Richard Mushotzky
For a lifetime of innovative X-ray and multiwavelength research, including foundational studies of the properties of active galactic nuclei and the composition and structures of hot gas in clusters of galaxies.
2021 - Nick Scoville
For lifelong contributions to our understanding of molecular gas and star formation in the Milky Way and other galaxies, for visionary leadership, and for inspiring generations of early career astronomers.
2020 - Scott Tremaine
For his lifelong contributions to our understanding of the dynamics of natural cosmic systems on scales ranging from comets to clusters of galaxies, and for his mentoring of junior colleagues and leadership of major astronomical research institutions.
2019 – Ann Merchant Boesgaard
In recognition of her pioneering, sustained work in using light-element abundances to test Big Bang nucleosynthesis and to probe stellar structure and stellar evolution.
2018 – Joseph Silk
For his lifetime contributions to our understanding of the early universe and galaxy formation. Underpinning his scholarly impact is an extraordinary publication record that includes more that 800 refereed articles and eight books.
2017 – Eric Becklin
For his leadership role over the last half century in turning infrared astronomy into a fundamental tool for understanding the universe.
2016 – Christopher F. McKee
For his innovative ideas, powerful theoretical insights, and practical models that have had significant impact on many areas of astrophysics.
2015 – Giovanni Fazio
For his pioneering work on gamma-ray and infrared instrumentation, which has advanced our understanding in many areas of astronomy, ranging from near-Earth objects to high-redshift galaxies.
2014 – George Field
For a lifetime of contributions to our basic understanding of diffuse plasmas in the universe that continue to motivate current astronomers.
| Year | Recipient(s) | Citation and Additional Materials |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Kenneth C. Freeman | For a lifetime of seminal contributions to the fields of galaxy structure and dynamics and stellar populations. Lecture Abstract |
| 2012 | W. David Arnett | For a lifetime of seminal contributions to the fields of stellar explosions, nuclear astrophysics, and hydrodynamics. Lecture Abstract |
| 2011 | Sandra M. Faber | For a lifetime of seminal contributions to galaxy evolution and dynamics, the distribution of the mysterious “dark matter” in the universe, for leading the construction of astronomical instrumentation, and for mentoring future leading astronomers. Lecture Abstract |
| 2010 | Margaret J. Geller | For a lifetime of work on the distribution and clustering of galaxies in the Universe and for her notable success in describing this work to the public. Lecture Abstract | Journal Article |
| 2009 | George W. Preston | For a lifetime of research that has transformed our understanding of RR Lyrae variables, stellar magnetic fields, and stellar chromospheres, and led to a comprehensive view of the nature, chemistry, kinematics, and metallicity and age distribution in the Galactic stellar halo. Lecture Abstract | Journal Article |
| 2008 | Rashid Sunyaev | For his seminal contributions to high energy astrophysics and cosmology. Lecture Abstract |
| 2007 | David Lambert | For fundamental contributions in the field of stellar spectroscopy and the chemical composition of the sun, the stars, and interstellar clouds. Lecture Abstract |
| 2006 | Bohdan Paczynski | For his highly original contributions to a wide variety of fields including advanced stellar evolution, the nature of gamma ray bursts, accretion in binary systems, gravitational lensing, and cosmology. Lecture Abstract |
| 2005 | James E. Gunn | For contributions to observational, instrumental, and theoretical astrophysics that have informed our understanding of the universe and a large fraction of its contents, including Gunn-Peterson absorption in quasar spectra, weak gravitational lensing, galactic and stellar dynamics, pulsars and quasars, and the objects of study of numerous spectrographs, cameras, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Lecture Abstract |
| 2004 | Martin J. Rees | For significant contributions to high energy astrophysics and cosmology, including predicting superluminal expansion, analyzing the role of black holes in galactic nuclei and binary x-ray sources, and developing the theory of galaxy formation and evolution. Lecture Abstract |
| 2003 | George W. Wetherill | For pioneering the application of modern physics and numerical simulations to the formation and evolution of terrestrial planets. |
| 2002 | George Wallerstein | For his contributions to our understanding of the abundances of the elements in stars and clusters. Lecture Abstract |
| 2001 | Wallace L. W. Sargent | For his contributions to astronomical spectroscopy.Lecture Abstract |
| 2000 | Donald Lynden-Bell | For his efforts to understand the rich properties of disks around planets, stars, black holes, and galaxies; the study of the motions of gas clouds around the Milky Way, of galaxies within the Local Group, and of the nearby universe through the thermal background radiation; and the importance of considering the fundamental basis for our subject within the sciences of heat, matter, and gravitation. Lecture Abstract | Journal Article |
| 1999 | John N. Bahcall | Lecture Abstract |
| 1998 | Charles H. Townes | Lecture Abstract |
| 1997 | Alastair G. W. Cameron | Lecture Abstract |
| 1996 | Gerry Neugebauer | Lecture Abstract | Journal Article |
| 1995 | Robert P. Kraft | Lecture Abstract |
| 1994 | Vera C. Rubin | Lecture Abstract |
| 1993 | P. James E. Peebles | Lecture Abstract |
| 1992 | Lawrence H. Aller | Lecture Abstract |
| 1991 | Donald E. Osterbrock | Lecture Abstract |
| 1990 | Sidney van den Bergh | Lecture Abstract |
| 1989 | Icko Iben, Jr. | Lecture Abstract |
| 1988 | Gerard de Vaucouleurs | Lecture Abstract |
| 1987 | Fred L. Whipple | Lecture Abstract |
| 1986 | Albert E. Whitford | Lecture Abstract |
| 1985 | Olin J. Eggen | Lecture Abstract |
| 1984 | E. Margaret Burbidge | Lecture Abstract |
| 1983 | Herbert Friedman | |
| 1982 | Bart J. Bok | Lecture Abstract | Journal Article |
| 1981 | Riccardo Giacconi | |
| 1980 | Jeremiah P. Ostriker | |
| 1979 | Peter Goldreich | |
| 1978 | Maarten Schmidt | |
| 1977 | Olin C. Wilson | Lecture Abstract |
| 1976 | Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin | |
| 1975 | George H. Herbig | |
| 1974 | Edwin Salpeter | |
| 1973 | Leo Goldberg | |
| 1972 | Allan R. Sandage | |
| 1971 | Fred Hoyle | |
| 1970 | Jesse L. Greenstein | |
| 1969 | Eugene N. Parker | |
| 1968 | John G. Bolton | |
| 1967 | O. Neugebauer | Journal Article |
| 1966 | Richard Tousey | |
| 1965 | B.G. Stromgren | |
| 1964 | I.S. Bowen | |
| 1963 | William A. Fowler | |
| 1962 | Grote Reber | |
| 1961 | W.W. Morgan | |
| 1960 | Martin Schwarzschild | |
| 1959 | Gerard P. Kuiper | |
| 1958 | Walter Baade | |
| 1957 | Otto Struve | |
| 1956 | Joel Stebbins | |
| 1955 | Paul Merrill | |
| 1954 | Omitted | |
| 1953 | Lyman Spitzer, Jr. | |
| 1953 | Enrico Fermi | |
| 1952 | Omitted | |
| 1951 | Jan H. Oort | |
| 1950 | Harlow Shapley | |
| 1949 | S. Chandrasekhar | |
| 1948 | Omitted | |
| 1947 | Walter S. Adams | |
| 1946 | Henry N. Russell |