Harvey washington banks biography

Harvey Washington Banks (February 7, 1923 – 1979) was a professor of physics and astronomy at Howard University and was the first African American to earn a doctorate specifically in the field of astronomy.^[1]

Early life and education

Banks was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. At an early age, his family moved to Washington, D.C. where he would later attend Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.). Banks then attended Howard University where he earned his bachelor's degree in physics in 1946 and a master's degree in physics in 1948.^[2] Banks would later attend Georgetown University, completing his Ph.D. in Astronomy in 1961.^[3]

Teaching and Research

Shortly after receiving his doctorate, Banks would become an assistant professor of astronomy at Georgetown University from 1962 to 1966.^[4] Later becoming a professor of physics and astronomy at Delaware State University, in addition t