Jesse Wakefield Beams was an American physicist at the University of Virginia. Jesse Wakefield Beams was born in Belle Plains, Kansas on December 25, 1898. He earned his bachelor's degree from Fairmont College in 1921, and a Masters Degree in Mathematics from the University of wisconsin in 1923. He received a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Virginia in 1926. Dr. Beams' contributions include construction of the first linear electron accelerator, development of the magnetic ultracentrifuge and application of the ultracentrifuge to the separation of Uranium isotopes. He was chairman of the Physics Department from 1948 to 1962 and president of the American Physical Society from 1958 to 1959. From then, early 1960 until his death in 1977 he collaborated with Dr. Donald Kupke on the biological applications of his work. Dr. Beams also devised a more accurate apparatus for measuring G, the universal gravitational constant. Beams' awards include the National Medal of Science and accompanying certificate, the Howard N. Potts Medal for distinguished work in science or the mechanical arts, and medals from the Atomic Energy Program, the Atomic Energy Commission, and the President of the United States. To the right is a photograph of Dr. Beams receiving an award from President Johnson.