Morley, Edward Williams (1838–1923)

US physicist who collaborated with Albert Michelson on the Michelson–Morley experiment in 1887. In 1895 he established precise and accurate measurements of the densities of oxygen and hydrogen.

Morley was born in Newark, New Jersey, and studied at Williams College. He spent his career at Adelbert College, Cleveland, Ohio, becoming professor 1869. From 1873 to 1888, he was simultaneously professor at Cleveland Medical College.

All Morley's research involved the use of precision instruments. Using a eudiometer he had made accurate to within 0.0025%, he was able to confirm on the basis of the oxygen content of the air and meteorological data that, under certain conditions, cold air derives from the downward movement of air from high altitudes rather than from the southward movement of northerly cold air.