Astronomer Hubble to join Hall of Famous Missourians

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Edwin Hubble, who revolutionized the way people look at the heavens, will be the next inductee into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

The bronze bust of Hubble will be the 24th to go on display in the Capitol's third-floor rotunda, House Speaker Jim Kreider, D-Nixa, said Friday.

The House oversees the display, which is funded through private contributions.

Before coming to the Capitol, Hubble's bust will be on display Sept. 6 through Oct. 4 at the Webster County Courthouse.

Hubble was born in Marshfield on Nov. 20, 1889, and developed theories and law proving the universe is expanding. He assisted in the design for the telescope at the Mount Palomar Observatory, and much of his work was later the basis of the Hubble Space Telescope, named in his honor.

"Edwin Hubble dedicated his life to looking beyond what the naked eye can see, and gazing into the distant past as well as the future," Kreider said in a statement. "His legacy is well worth honoring in our state Capitol."

The bust of Hubble will join those of other celebrated Missourians, such as Harry Truman, World War II Gen. Omar Bradley, Walt Disney, Mark Twain and Laura Ingalls Wilder.