Francis Wheeler Loomis (4.08.1889-9.02.1976) was an American physicist and a member of the National Academy of Sciences (1949). He was born in Parkersburg. He graduated from Harvard University (1913). In 1920-28 he worked at New York University, and in 1929—59 he was professor at the University of Illinois.
His research concerned molecular spectroscopy, thermodynamics and solid-state physics. He explained (1920) the isotope effect in molecular spectra.
He created a school of physicists (P. Kusch, R. Serber, D. Kerst, N. Ramsey and others). In 1949 he was president of the American Physical Society.