- 1923, Born Chicago, IL; 2011, Dies 2011, Fountain Hills, AZ
- 1936, Enters University of Chicago at age 13
- 1940, Receives bachelor’s degree in mathematics
- 1941, Receives master’s degree
- 1942, Earns Ph.D. at the age of 19
- 1943-44, Teaches at Tuskegee Institute
- 1944, Joins University of Chicago Metallurgical Laboratory where he collaborates with Arthur
Compton and Enrico Fermi as they research nuclear fission
- 1944, Co-authors paper with Eugene Wigner detailing the Wigner-Wilkins approach to estimating
neutron energy absorption within nuclear reactors (paper not declassified until 1948)
- 1945, Signs Leo Szilard’s petition to President Truman asking he refrain from using the atomic
bomb
- 1946-1950, Works for American Optical Company in Buffalo, NY
- 1950-1960, Works for Nuclear Development Corporation of America
- 1960, Earns MA in Mechanical Engineering from NYU
- 1970, Joins Howard University faculty and founds Howard’s Mathematics Ph.D. program
- 1970s-2000s, Earns several honors, including the U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service
Medal
Wilkins was a key member of The Manhattan Project, working with Arthur Compton, Enrico Fermi, and Eugene Wigner on nuclear fission.
