Memorial Hall of Wu Youxun

Memorial Hall of Wu Youxun

The Memorial Hall of Wu Youxun was built in honor of the world-renowned scientist, educator, prominent contributor to the Compton Effect, and one of the founders of modern physics in China—Mr. Wu Youxun (1897–1977). It is located within Rui Zhou Park, beside National Highway 320 to the west of Gao’an City, covering an area of over 50 acres, with a total construction area of 5,000 square meters. The building features an antique style with green glazed tiles, presenting an elegant, majestic, and classic appearance. It is surrounded by pine trees, clusters of bamboo, and reflected in a lake, offering a serene environment.

The hall consists of a main lobby, central hall, and east and west side halls. The main lobby has two floors, while the central hall is dedicated to exhibits showcasing the life and achievements of Wu Youxun. It also houses three wooden rooms that replicate his former residence. The east hall displays inscriptions from notable figures, and the west hall features exhibits on 100 notable figures from Gao’an, including a small exhibit on atomic bomb models. All halls are interconnected by a circular corridor.

Introduction to Wu Youxun

Wu Youxun was born on April 2, 1897, in Gao’an, Jiangxi Province. He was a physicist. In 1920, he graduated from Nanjing Higher Normal School. In 1921, he went to the University of Chicago in the United States, where he earned his Ph.D. in physics in 1926. He later served as an assistant and lecturer in the university’s physics research laboratory. He collaborated with Compton to systematically study the Compton Effect. In 1924, he co-published the paper “The Wavelength of Scattered Ka Radiation from Molybdenum by Light Elements” with Compton. In 1925, he jointly studied “Experimental Observations on the Scattering of X-Rays Sealed in a Box” with Compton and Bearden, while also independently researching “The Intensity of X-Rays Scattered by Recoil Electrons.” In 1930, he published the paper “The Intensity of X-Rays Scattered by Single Atomic Gases” in the British journal Nature, marking the first time a Chinese physicist’s research findings were published in a foreign scientific journal.

His research on the scattering of X-rays in polyatomic gases theoretically expanded upon Compton’s X-ray scattering effect. In 1934, he became the head of the Physics Department at Tsinghua University, where he continued his research on X-ray scattering in polyatomic gases. In 1948, he was elected as an academician of the Academia Sinica. He served as a researcher and vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and chairman of the Chinese Physical Society. His primary work focused on modern physics, particularly X-ray scattering spectroscopy, making him one of the pioneers in conducting experimental research in modern physics in China. In 1950, he became the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1955, he was elected as an academician (member) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He passed away on November 30, 1977.

Transportation

Shuttle buses operating between the city center and Shinao Town pass near the memorial hall. Nearby accommodations are available at Rui Xue Hotel, Rui Zhou Hotel, Yong Sheng Hotel, Labor Building, Rui Fu Restaurant, and Fang Yuan Restaurant, all situated beside the national highway.

Wu Youxun, physicist and educator, was born on April 26, 1897, in Gao’an, Jiangxi. He graduated from Nanjing Higher Normal School in 1920 and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1925. In 1948, he was elected as an academician of the Academia Sinica, and in 1955, he was selected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He passed away on November 30, 1977. He served as a professor and head of the Physics Department at Tsinghua University, dean of the College of Science (also serving as dean of the College of Science at the Southwest Associated University during the War of Resistance), president of Central University, director of the Administrative Committee of Jiaotong University, … Wu Youxun's detailed information++

Further Reading:

· China’s National Third-Class Museum