Ernest Orlando Lawrence was born in Canton, South Dakota, on August 8, 1901. His grandparents had emigrated from Norway in 1846. His father was an educator who eventually became superintendent of public instruction for the state of South Dakota. Lawrence attended public schools in Canton and then Pierre, where he graduated from high school at the age of 16. One of his close friends in high school was Merle A. Tuve, who later became a professional colleague of Lawrence's in the development of particle accelerators. Lawrence entered Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, but, after one year, transferred to the University of South Dakota. Although originally interested in a medical career, Lawrence soon decided to change his major to physics. He was strongly influenced in this decision by Lawrence E. Akeley (1910- ), professor of electrical engineering. Lawrence graduated from the university in 1922 with high honors in physics. After earning a master's degree...