Thomas D. (Thomas Darlington) Cope

Born in East Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1880, he studied at the University of Pennsylvania, earning his A.B. in 1903 and a Ph.D. in physics in 1915. He taught there for decades, serving as an instructor and later professor, and also studied in Berlin under Max Planck in 1912–1913.

Alongside his work in physics, he developed a lasting interest in the history of science. He wrote many articles on the Mason-Dixon survey and is often noted for giving one of the fullest accounts of its scientific achievement and historical importance.

Cope died in 1964. His papers, including articles, notes, lectures, notebooks, and correspondence, were preserved in archival collections, reflecting both his scientific career and his historical research.