Dennis Overbye (born June 2, 1944, in

Seattle Seattle ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The city is the cou ...

, Washington) is a science writer specializing in

physics Physics is the scientific study of matter, its Elementary particle, fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge whi ...

and

cosmology Cosmology () is a branch of physics and metaphysics dealing with the nature of the universe, the cosmos. The term ''cosmology'' was first used in English in 1656 in Thomas Blount's ''Glossographia'', with the meaning of "a speaking of the wo ...

and was the cosmic affairs correspondent for ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

''.

Biography

He has written two books: ''Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos'', about scientists and their quest to understand the universe, and ''Einstein in Love'', dealing with

Albert Einstein Albert Einstein (14 March 187918 April 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist who is best known for developing the theory of relativity. Einstein also made important contributions to quantum mechanics. His mass–energy equivalence f ...

's youth and the controversy surrounding the degree to which Einstein's first wife, Mileva Marić, contributed to the theory of relativity. He joined the staff of ''The New York Times'' in 1998 as deputy science editor, then switched to full-time writing. In 2014 he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. Overbye retired from his position as cosmic affairs correspondent for the ''New York Times'' in December, 2024.

Books

* ''Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos: The Scientific Quest for the Secret of the Universe,'' Harper-Collins (1991), & (finalist, Nation Book Critics Circle Award for non-fiction). Second edition (with new afterword), Back Bay, 1999. * ''Einstein in Love: A Scientific Romance,'' Viking (2000),

Awards

American Institute of Physics The American Institute of Physics (AIP) promotes science and the profession of physics, publishes physics journals, and produces publications for scientific and engineering societies. The AIP is made up of various member societies. Its corpora ...

Science Writing Award, 1980 and 1992 *

American Association for the Advancement of Science The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is a United States–based international nonprofit with the stated mission of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsib ...

Science Journalism Award, 2005 (for large newspaper writing)

References

External links

Bio on Edge.org''New York Times'' author index pageInterview with Overbye on the Marketing for Scientists blog
{{DEFAULTSORT:Overbye, Dennis American science journalists Living people American science writers The New York Times journalists Los Angeles Times people American magazine editors 1944 births Discover (magazine) people Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Science alumni