Edward Wichers Explained

Edward Wichers
Birth Date:March 25, 1892
Birth Place:Zeeland, Michigan
Nationality:American
Death Place:Montgomery, Maryland
Field:Physical chemistry
Work Institution:National Bureau of Standards
Alma Mater:Hope College
Known For:Determination of atomic weights

Edward Wichers (March 25, 1892 – January 1984) was a US chemist and Associate Director of the National Bureau of Standards from 1958-62. He is notable for his work on atomic weights of the elements.[1]

Edward Wichers graduated from Hope College in 1913 and from 1948 to 1958 Wichers headed the Chemistry Division at the National Bureau of Standards. In 1941 he was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Science degree at Hope College commencement. Wichers was assigned to the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos to work on the first atomic bomb, 1944-1945.[2] He headed the International Atomic Weights Commission from 1950–59 and from 1964–69,[3] and was the President of the IUPAC's Inorganic Chemistry Division from 1955-1957.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Edward Wichers - Encyclopædia Britannica.
  2. Web site: Hope College Joint Archives.
  3. Web site: Atomic Weights and the International Committee—A Historical Review. Chemistry International. 2004.
  4. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Celebrates its Centennial. Robert N. Goldberg, David R. Lide. Chemistry International. May 2001. IUPAC.