Gerard Kuiper

Gerard Peter Kuiper (1905–1973) was a Dutch and American astronomer, cartographer, and university teacher. Born in Tuitjenhorn, he was educated at Leiden University and began his professional work in 1933. His doctoral advisor was Ejnar Hertzsprung. Kuiper held positions at the Lick Observatory, Harvard College Observatory, Yerkes Observatory, and the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Sciences.

Kuiper’s written works include *The Earth as a Planet*. He spoke Dutch and English. He died of a myocardial infarction in Mexico City.