Robert Jay Charlson


Robert Jay Charlson is an American atmospheric scientist, climate scientist, pioneer in the fields of climate forcing and climate change, and coauthor of the CLAW hypothesis. He is professor of Atmospheric Sciences, chemistry, and geophysics at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. Charlson earned his PhD from the University of Washington. He is a world expert in atmospheric chemistry, aerosol physics, aerosol/cloud/climate interaction, aerosol and cloud instrumentation.

Life and times

On September 30, 1936, Robert Jay Charlson was born at Santa Clara, California and his mother's name was listed as Stucky. On March 16, 1964, a marriage license listed Robert J. Charlson, age 27, born at San Jose, California, joined Patricia E. Allison, age 23, born at Greenville, South Carolina, in lawful wedlock in the University Christion Church at King County, Washington. The license was issued on February 24, 1964 and filed with the King County Auditor on March 18, 1964.

Education

Charlson received a BS and MS degrees in chemistry from Stanford University. Harold S. Johnston was his undergraduate advisor. His master's thesis was titled: “Techniques for High Speed Flash Photolysis”. In 1964, Charlson was awarded a PhD in atmospheric sciences from the University of Washington, Seattle. His advisor was Konrad Büttner.

Professional service