The papers of William A. Hiltner cover his active role both in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Michigan and in the field of astronomy in general. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence and topical files. Also included are some teaching and research materials and files relating to his professional associations.
William A. Hiltner was born in North Creek, Ohio on August 27, 1914. He received a B.S. in math and physics from the University of Toledo in 1937. Subsequently, he earned a M.S. degree in 1938 and a Ph.D. in astronomy in 1942 from the University of Michigan. In 1967 he was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Toledo. From 1942 through 1970, Hiltner was on the faculty at the University of Chicago and during parts of his tenure there was the director of Yerkes Observatory (1963-1966) and acting director of Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory (1966-1967) in Chile. Hiltner's tenure at the University of Michigan began in 1970 when he was appointed chairman of the Department of Astronomy and director of University Observatories. He was chairman of the department until 1983 and retired from the University of Michigan in 1985.
The focus of Hiltner's research was work on photoelectric photometry which led to the discovery of interstellar polarization. Additionally, his work enabled the identification of a number of X-ray sources and provided the first evidence for a magnetic field pervading the Milky Way galaxy. To help with his ground breaking research, Hiltner designed and developed new instrumental techniques and applications. During his tenure at the University of Michigan, Hiltner was responsible for the establishment of the McGraw-Hill Observatory on Kitt Peak in Arizona which involved the moving of a 1.3-meter reflector from Dexter, Michigan to Arizona and the construction and implementation of a 2.4-meter telescope, which has now been named in his honor. During his lifetime, Hiltner produced more than 200 research papers, book chapters, and other scientific contributions (a partial bibliography may be found in the topical files under "Letters of Merit").
Hiltner was a member of the International Astronomical Union; the American Astronomical Society; the Astronomical Society of the Pacific; and, the Optical Society of America. He was also a founder and extremely active member of the Associated Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) which runs the National Optical Astronomy Observatories in Arizona and Chile.
William A. Hiltner died September 30, 1991.
