this page honors Georges Lemaître (1894-1966)
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Monsignor Georges Henri Joseph Édouard Lemaître was a Roman Catholic priest who taught physics and astronomy at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. In his 1927 "hypothesis of the primeval atom", he proposed a theory of the universe that is relevant to this day. His theory drew upon his skillful use of mathematics as well as upon astronomical observations.
"We can compare space-time to an open, conic cup…. The bottom of the cup is the original of atomic disintegration; it is the first instant at the bottom of space-time, the now which has no yesterday…."
(From The primeval atom)
"The evolution of the world can be compared to a display of fireworks that has just ended: some few red wisps, ashes and smoke. Standing on a well-chilled cinder, we see the slow fading of the suns, and we try to recall the vanished brilliance of the origin of the worlds."
(From The primeval atom)
"We do not know what unexpected facts may be revealed by future observations and how our present theories will look to the successive generations. After all it may be that it is the extreme boldness of our predecessors [who taught] us not to be too shy and at least to try something."
(From The expanding universe)
To read more:
The day without yesterday: Lemaître, Einstein, and the birth of modern cosmology, by John Farrell. Thunder's Mouth Press, ©2005.
The expanding universe: Lemaître's unknown manuscript, produced by M. Heller and O. Godart. This previously unpublished manuscript was probably prepared in early 1940. Pachart Publishing House, ©1985.
The primeval atom: an essay on cosmogony, by Georges Lemaître. Translated by Betty H. and Serge A. Korff. D. Van Nostrand, 1950. (Now out of print — check a local university library for a copy).