Henry Stommel started his career as an oceanographer by looking to the stars. He earned a bachelor’s degree in astronomy from Yale University and taught mathematics and astronomy there from 1942 to 1944, at which point he joined WHOI to serve his country through science during WWII.
Best known for his groundbreaking work on ocean circulation, Stommel was the first to explain why western boundary currents—like the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio Current—are so powerful. His research extended into deep ocean circulation, thermohaline dynamics, and even the role of volcanoes in climate.
As colleagues put it, talking science with Stommel meant “hanging on” to keep up with his brilliance. A mentor, a visionary, and an oceanographer who saw the big picture, Stommel’s impact is still felt across the field.


