author
Bernard Keisch
b. 1932
A chemist turned science writer, this author explored how nuclear techniques can uncover the secrets of paintings, artifacts, and ancient objects. His books make the meeting point of lab work, archaeology, and art feel vivid and surprisingly approachable.
2 Audiobooks
The Atomic Fingerprint: Neutron Activation Analysis
by Bernard Keisch
The Mysterious Box: Nuclear Science and Art
by Bernard Keisch
About the author
Bernard Keisch was an American scientist and author born in 1932 whose writing focused on the real-world uses of nuclear science. In a biographical note published with The Mysterious Box: Nuclear Science and Art, he is described as having earned a B.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. from Washington University.
That same source says he served as a Senior Fellow in the Division of Sponsored Research at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. It also notes that he worked on projects involving nuclear technology and art identification, with support from the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and the National Gallery of Art.
Keisch wrote for general readers as well as technically minded ones. Confirmed titles include The Mysterious Box: Nuclear Science and Art, The Atomic Fingerprint: Neutron Activation Analysis, and Secrets of the Past: Nuclear Energy Applications in Art and Archaeology, all reflecting his long-running interest in how scientific analysis can help authenticate artworks and investigate the past.