150th Chemistry

In Memoriam: Harold S. Johnston

July 19, 2021
By Ronald C. Cohen

Harold Johnston in the lab

Harold Johnston circa 1970s. (Photo: Dennis Galloway collection, Bancroft Library)

Pioneering atmospheric chemist and UC Berkeley Emeritus Professor of Chemistry Harold S. Johnston, was born in Woodstock, Georgia, on October 11, 1920, and died on Oct 20, 2012. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, with a minor in...

William Francis Giauque

January 1, 2020
College of Chemistry News

Giauque, William Francis

By D. N. Lyon, K. S. Pitzer, and D. A. Shirley

The death of William Francis Giauque, 1949 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, on March...

Joel Henry Hildebrand

March 19, 2020

Hildebrand, Joel Henry

By Kenneth S. Pitzer, D. H. McLaughlin, G. C. Pimentel, and J. M. Prausnitz

Joel Henry Hildebrand (b. November 16, 1881, d. April 30, 1983) was born in Camden, New Jersey. His ancestors came to America before the revolution from the upper Rhine valley. When asked about his longevity, Joel replied, “I chose my...

Lloyd Noel Ferguson: research chemist and educator

June 18, 2020
by Marge d'Wylde | College of Chemistry

Lloyd Noel Ferguson

Lloyd Noel Ferguson (1936-1986), circa 1984 (Photo: Cal State LA)

Dr. Lloyd Noel Ferguson (B.S., '40; Ph.D. '43, Chem) was a brilliant chemist, a dedicated teacher and mentor, and an ardent supporter...

Henry Chalmers Biddle

March 3, 2020

Berkeley, Sept 3, 1935

Henry Chalmers Biddle (1869-1935; Ph.D. 1900, University of Chicago)

Henry Biddle, 1896

Henry Chalmers Biddle of Kirkwood, Illinois, an 1891 graduate of Monmouth College, sits for a portrait....

Leo Brewer

March 4, 2020

Leo Brewer

By Rollie J. Myers, Gerd M. Rosenblatt, and Herbert L. Strauss

Leo Brewer died on February 22, 2005 after several years of declining health. He was a chemist’s chemist always ready to help out fellow chemists, physicists, and materials scientists with his vast chemical knowledge. He is considered to be the founder of modern high-...

In Memoriam: Alumna Marjorie (Young) Vold

August 3, 2021
Marge d'Wylde | College of Chemistry

Alums Marjorie Young Vold and Robert Vold

Alumni Robert Vold (Ph.D. '35, Chem) and Marjorie Vold née Young (Ph.D. '36, Chem). Unknown photographer and date. Photo courtesy Tom Aiken.

Marjorie Jean Young (1913 – 1991) was born in Ottawa, Ontario...

Glenn Theodore Seaborg

March 29, 2020

Glenn Theodore Seaborg

By Les Prix Nobel edited by Nobel Lectures

Glenn Theodore Seaborg was born in Ishpeming, Michigan, on April 19, 1912. At the age of 10 he moved with his family to California, in 1929 he graduated at David Starr Jordan...

Samuel Benedict Christy, first dean of mining and metallurgy

September 15, 2021

Hearst Mining Building, UC Berkeley

Interior, Hearst Mining Building. (Photo: Joe Parks via Wikimedia Commons)

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Lester Andrews (Ph.D. ’66, Chem) reminisces about his experience in George Pimentel’s lab

October 1, 2021
Professor Emeritus Lester Andrews |University of Virginia

George Pimentel, 1960sGeorge Pimentel in the 1960s. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Pimentel.

In 1963, the last Sunday in September, I flew from my home in Starkville, Mississippi to SFO and took ground transportation to the I-House where I would live for three semesters. Qualifying exams were given the next day, Monday, and on Tuesday we were given the results and told to interview...