Milton C. Whitaker
Encyclopedia
Milton C. Whitaker was a noted 20th century chemist
. His areas of speciality were chemical engineering
and industrial chemistry.
in 1880. Whitaker graduated from Boulder School in 1887 and Colorado State Preparatory School in 1890. He worked as a mechanic and millwright for three years, designing and erecting two large mills for Mancos Lumber Company.
In 1900 he married Mabel Martin of Denver, member of the class of 1898 of the University of Colorado
. They had two sons including Robert F. M. Culver, a captain in the USMCR who died during World War II
.
The Whitakers resided in the Ambassador Hotel, New York for the latter part of their lives.
. He studied under Professor Charles S. Palmer, the head of the department of chemistry, who inspired him to make chemistry his major. He also studied mineralogy
, geology
, petrology
, metallurgy
, assaying, mechanical engineering
and electrical engineering
. He assisted in the chemical laboratory
, as well as doing some teaching.
Whitaker received his Bachelor of Science
in 1897, and a Master of Science
in 1900. In 1915 he received a Doctorate
of Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh
.
, a colleague at Columbia, recommended him as a chemist for the Welsbach Light Chemical Company in Gloucester City, New Jersey
, where he was made superintendent of all manufacturing departments by 1903. He devoted seven years to directing research work, solving chemical and engineering problems, and developing the factories at Philadelphia and Columbus. From 1908-10 he was a special lecturer on works management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
.
In 1910 he returned to Columbia University
as professor of industrial chemistry and chemical engineering. He directed the conversion of the basement of Havemeyer Hall
into a comprehensive chemical engineering laboratory. He was head of the Chemical Engineering Department for six years until 1917.
In 1916 he became general manager of the Curtis Bay Chemical Company, and in 1917 was its president. In November 1917 he also became president of the U.S. Industrial Chemical Company, successor to the Curtis Bay Chemical Company, and also vice president/director of the U.S. Industrial Alcohol Company.
From 1911 to 1916 he was also editor of The Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, one of the official journals of the American Chemical Society
. He was chairman of the New York Section of the Society of Chemical Industry
, vice president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
, and president of the Chemists' Club. From 1918-20 he was Director Emeritus of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.
Between 1912 and 1921 he was granted twenty-two U.S. patents for items and processes ranging from removing nickel
from hydrogenized fat to apparatus for producing ethylene
.
In 1923 he was awarded the Perkin Medal
, which he described as 'the greatest honor that can be conferred upon a chemist by his fellow workers'. In his acceptance speech he went on to say: 'I am deeply appreciative of the distinction which your committee has bestowed upon me, and doubly grateful to receive the beautiful symbol of the honor from you, sir, a Perkin Medalist yourself and by unanimous consent the beloved dean of our profession.' He was referring to Charles F. Chandler
, a mentor of his during his time at Columbia University
.
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
. His areas of speciality were chemical engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
and industrial chemistry.
Personal life
Whitaker was born in Frazeysburg, Ohio, December 16, 1870, to R.B. Whitaker and Jennie Magruder. The family moved to ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
in 1880. Whitaker graduated from Boulder School in 1887 and Colorado State Preparatory School in 1890. He worked as a mechanic and millwright for three years, designing and erecting two large mills for Mancos Lumber Company.
In 1900 he married Mabel Martin of Denver, member of the class of 1898 of the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
. They had two sons including Robert F. M. Culver, a captain in the USMCR who died during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The Whitakers resided in the Ambassador Hotel, New York for the latter part of their lives.
Education
In 1893 Whitaker entered the University of ColoradoUniversity of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
. He studied under Professor Charles S. Palmer, the head of the department of chemistry, who inspired him to make chemistry his major. He also studied mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
, geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, petrology
Petrology
Petrology is the branch of geology that studies rocks, and the conditions in which rocks form....
, metallurgy
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use...
, assaying, mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
and electrical engineering
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
. He assisted in the chemical laboratory
Laboratory
A laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. The title of laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories...
, as well as doing some teaching.
Whitaker received his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in 1897, and a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in 1900. In 1915 he received a Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
of Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
.
Career
In 1898 Whitaker was appointed the post as instructor in chemistry for the sophomore class of Columbia College. In 1902 Charles F. ChandlerCharles F. Chandler
Charles Frederick Chandler was an American chemist, best known for his regulatory work in public health, sanitation, and consumer safety in New York City, as well as his work in chemical education—first at Union College and then, for the majority of his career, at Columbia University where he...
, a colleague at Columbia, recommended him as a chemist for the Welsbach Light Chemical Company in Gloucester City, New Jersey
Gloucester City, New Jersey
Gloucester City is a city in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 11,456.-Geography:Gloucester City is located at ....
, where he was made superintendent of all manufacturing departments by 1903. He devoted seven years to directing research work, solving chemical and engineering problems, and developing the factories at Philadelphia and Columbus. From 1908-10 he was a special lecturer on works management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
.
In 1910 he returned to Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
as professor of industrial chemistry and chemical engineering. He directed the conversion of the basement of Havemeyer Hall
Havemeyer Hall
Havemeyer Hall is an historic academic building located in Columbia University in New York City.-History:It was built between 1896 and 1898 under the direction of Charles Frederick Chandler and named after Columbia graduate Frederick Christian Havemeyer. The building is one of six original...
into a comprehensive chemical engineering laboratory. He was head of the Chemical Engineering Department for six years until 1917.
In 1916 he became general manager of the Curtis Bay Chemical Company, and in 1917 was its president. In November 1917 he also became president of the U.S. Industrial Chemical Company, successor to the Curtis Bay Chemical Company, and also vice president/director of the U.S. Industrial Alcohol Company.
From 1911 to 1916 he was also editor of The Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, one of the official journals of the American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
. He was chairman of the New York Section of the Society of Chemical Industry
Society of Chemical Industry
The Society of Chemical Industry is a learned society set up in 1881 "to further the application of chemistry and related sciences for the public benefit". Its purpose is "Promoting the commercial application of science for the benefit of society". Its first president was Henry Enfield Roscoe and...
, vice president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers is a professional organization for chemical engineers.AIChE was established in 1908 with the purpose of establishing chemical engineers as a profession independent from chemists and mechanical engineers.As of 2010, AIChE had over 40,000 members,...
, and president of the Chemists' Club. From 1918-20 he was Director Emeritus of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.
Between 1912 and 1921 he was granted twenty-two U.S. patents for items and processes ranging from removing nickel
Nickel
Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...
from hydrogenized fat to apparatus for producing ethylene
Ethylene
Ethylene is a gaseous organic compound with the formula . It is the simplest alkene . Because it contains a carbon-carbon double bond, ethylene is classified as an unsaturated hydrocarbon. Ethylene is widely used in industry and is also a plant hormone...
.
In 1923 he was awarded the Perkin Medal
Perkin Medal
The Perkin Medal is an award given 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 US industrial chemical...
, which he described as 'the greatest honor that can be conferred upon a chemist by his fellow workers'. In his acceptance speech he went on to say: 'I am deeply appreciative of the distinction which your committee has bestowed upon me, and doubly grateful to receive the beautiful symbol of the honor from you, sir, a Perkin Medalist yourself and by unanimous consent the beloved dean of our profession.' He was referring to Charles F. Chandler
Charles F. Chandler
Charles Frederick Chandler was an American chemist, best known for his regulatory work in public health, sanitation, and consumer safety in New York City, as well as his work in chemical education—first at Union College and then, for the majority of his career, at Columbia University where he...
, a mentor of his during his time at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.