Edgar Fahs Smith
Edgar Fahs Smith (born May 23, 1854 in York , Pennsylvania , † May 3, 1928 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania) was an American chemist and chemical historian.
Life
Edgar Smith went to the York County Academy and from 1872 studied chemistry and mineralogy at Gettysburg College (then Pennsylvania College). In 1874 he received his bachelor's degree and then studied at the University of Göttingen , where he received his doctorate in 1876 under Friedrich Wöhler . In 1876 he married Margie Alice Gruel and became an associate professor in analytical chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania . In 1888 he became professor there and in 1892 head of the chemistry faculty and holder of the chemistry chair as the successor to his teacher Samuel Philip Sadtler (1847-1923). He also directed the company founded in 1894John Harrison Laboratory . From 1899 to 1911 he was vice provost of the university and from 1911 until his retirement in 1920 provost.
He dealt with electrochemistry, determination of atomic weights and rare earths and with the history of chemistry. In his lectures he emphasized the cultural and historical background of chemistry, beyond purely technical aspects, and was one of the first in the USA to give lectures on the history of chemistry in the 1890s.
His widow bequeathed his extensive chemical history collection to the University of Pennsylvania (Smith Memorial Collection), where his former secretary Eva Armstrong was the first curator. When he died, it comprised around 13,000 objects (including 3,000 books, 600 manuscripts, memorabilia and portraits). Later it was increased considerably and today comprises around 15,000 books and manuscripts. These include, for example, an edition of the Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum from Isaac Newton's library with his commentaries and manuscripts and books by Joseph Priestley and Robert Boyle . In 2000 the collection became a National Historic Chemical Landmark.
He co-founded the History of Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society . In 1926 he received the Priestley Medal . In 1899 he became a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences . From 1902 to 1908 he was President of the American Philosophical Society ; he was also three times President of the American Chemical Society.
Fonts
- Electro-Chemical Analysis, 1890, 1894, 1902, 1918
- Chemistry of the Carbon Compounds, 2 volumes, 3rd edition 1900
- with HF Keller: Experiments Arranged for Students in General Chemistry, 3rd edition 1900
- Theories of Chemistry, 1913
- Chemistry in America, 1914
- Atomic Weights, 1915
- The Life of Robert Hare , 1917
- James Woodhouse , a pioneer in chemistry, 1770-1809, 1918, Archives
- Chemistry in Old Philadelphia, 1918
- James Cutbush , 1919
- Priestley in America, 1920
He translated Victor von Richter's textbook on inorganic chemistry .
literature
- Herbert S. Klickstein: Edgar Fahs Smith-His Contributions to the History of Chemistry , Chymia, Volume 5, 1959, pp. 11-30
Web links
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Smith, Edgar Fahs |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American chemist and chemical historian |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 23, 1854 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | York , Pennsylvania |
| DATE OF DEATH | May 3, 1928 |
| Place of death | Philadelphia , Pennsylvania |