Ya. B. Zeldovich (1914-1987) Chemist, Nuclear Physicist, Cosmologist

Yakov Borisovich Zeldovich was remarkably talented.† His active scientific career included major contributions in fields as diverse as chemical physics (adsorption & catalysis), the theory of shock waves, thermal explosions, the theory of flame propogation, the theory of combustion & detonation, nuclear & particle physics, and, during the latter part of his life: gravitation, astrophysics and cosmology (Zeldovich 1992).