John Brown Francis Herreshoff Explained

John Brown Francis Herreshoff
Birth Date:	7 February 1850
Birth Place:	Bristol, Rhode Island
Death Place:	New York City
Occupation:	Chemist

John Brown Francis Herreshoff (February 7, 1850 – January 30, 1932) was second winner of the Perkin Medal.^{[1] [2]} He was also the president of The General Chemical Company.^[3]

Biography

Herreshoff was born February 7, 1850, Bristol, Rhode Island, to the marriage of Charles Frederick Herreshoff III (1809–1888) and Julia Ann Lewis (; 1811–1901). Herreshoff was a metallurgical chemist affiliated with the firm of Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, builders of yachts and torpedo boats.^[4] Herreshoff was also the president of The General Chemical Company, which was founded in 1899 and merged in 1920 with Allied Corporation.^[3]

Recipient of the Perkin Medal

Herreshoff, in 1908, received the Perkin Medal, an award conferred annually by the American section of the Society of Chemical Industry to a scientist residing in America for an "innovation in applied chemistry resulting in outstanding commercial development." It is considered the highest honor given in the U.S. chemical industry.

Death

Herreshoff died January 30, 1932, at the home of his daughter in New York City.^[1] Interment was at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Family

John Brown Francis Herreshoff was married four times.

1. He first married – on February 9, 1876 – Grace Eugenia Dyer (; 1851–1880), with whom he had a daughter, Louise Chamberlain Herreshoff (1876–1967), who went on to become a painter.
2. After Grace's death, he married – on October 25, 1882, in Philadelphia – Emaline Duval ("Mildred") Lee (; 1863–1930). From that marriage, he had two sons and a daughter. One of the sons, Frederick Herreshoff (1888–1920), became a noted American amateur golfer. By way his daughter from that marriage, Sarah Lothrop Herreshoff (1889–1958), a grandson, Guido Borgianni (it) (1914–2011), became a noted Italian painter.
3. Herreshoff and Mildred divorced June 4, 1919, in Manhattan, and five days later, on June 9, 1919, Herreshoff married Carrie Lucas Ridley (; 1878–1924), her second.
4. On October 5, 1924 (months after Carrie's death), Herreshoff married Carrie's sister, Irma Grey Ridley (1872–1946).

Notes and References

1. News: Dr. J. B. Herreshoff, Chemist, 81, Dies. . January 31, 1932 . 26 April 2015.
2. News: Dr. John Herreshoff, Noted Scientist, Dies at 81 in New York. 26 April 2015. The Daily Illini. 31 January 1932.
3. News: Died . April 26, 2015 . The Sun and the New York Herald . March 24, 1920.
4. News: Coming International Yacht Race. 26 April 2015. The San Francisco Call. 10 September 1899.