Richard c. lord
Encyclopedia
Professor Richard Collins Lord (October 10, 1910 – April 29, 1989) was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He received the Ph.D. degree in physical chemistry from Johns Hopkins University
in 1936. He spent two years (1936–38) as a Fellow of the United States National Research Council
, first at the University of Michigan
and then at the University of Copenhagen
, Denmark.
In 1942, Lord came to MIT when the National Defense Research Committee called him to serve as technical aide and later as deputy chief of the Committee's Optics Division. His war work was concerned with some of the early efforts on guided missiles as well as with military applications of infrared radiation. He received the President's Certificate of Merit
in 1948 from Harry S. Truman
for recognition of his work in his field during World War II
.
In 1946, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
appointed him Director of the Spectroscopy Laboratory and in 1954, Professor of Chemistry. In collaboration with Professors George R. Harrison
, and J.R. Loofbourow, Lord published the widely-used text "Practical Spectroscopy" in 1948. He also served as editor in the field of optics for the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology.
Lord is considered a pioneer in the use of Infrared radiation for the study of molecular structure
and is widely recognized for contributions made to the interpretation of the infrared spectra of molecules in terms of their vibrational motion, and also to our understanding of the cohesion of molecule
by means of hydrogen bonding. His studies of the laser Raman spectroscopy
of proteins and nucleic acids opened a new field of research.
In addition to receiving the President's Certificate of Merit
in 1948, Lord was given the Award in Spectroscopy from the Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Society in 1966 and was made an honorary member of the Society of Applied Spectroscopy in 1967. He served as a member and president (1957–61) of the Commission of Molecular Spectroscopy of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, and was president of the Optical Society of America
(1964), and received the Lippincott Medal from them in 1976. He was also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
. He served as a consultant with the Central Research Department of the du Pont Company from 1948 to 1980.
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
in 1936. He spent two years (1936–38) as a Fellow of the United States National Research Council
United States National Research Council
The National Research Council of the USA is the working arm of the United States National Academies, carrying out most of the studies done in their names.The National Academies include:* National Academy of Sciences...
, first at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and then at the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
, Denmark.
In 1942, Lord came to MIT when the National Defense Research Committee called him to serve as technical aide and later as deputy chief of the Committee's Optics Division. His war work was concerned with some of the early efforts on guided missiles as well as with military applications of infrared radiation. He received the President's Certificate of Merit
President's Certificate of Merit
The President's Certificate of Merit was created June 6, 1946 by Executive Order 9734 signed by US President Harry Truman, "for award by the President or at his direction to any civilian who on or after December 7, 1941 , has performed a meritorious act or service which has aided the United States...
in 1948 from Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
for recognition of his work in his field 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...
.
In 1946, 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...
appointed him Director of the Spectroscopy Laboratory and in 1954, Professor of Chemistry. In collaboration with Professors George R. Harrison
George R. Harrison
George Russell Harrison was an American physicist.Harrison became Professor of Experimental Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1930, and was appointed the school's Dean of Science in 1942; he also headed MIT's Spectroscopy Laboratory...
, and J.R. Loofbourow, Lord published the widely-used text "Practical Spectroscopy" in 1948. He also served as editor in the field of optics for the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology.
Lord is considered a pioneer in the use of Infrared radiation for the study of molecular structure
Molecular structure
The molecular structure of a substance is described by the combination of nuclei and electrons that comprise its constitute molecules. This includes the molecular geometry , the electronic properties of the...
and is widely recognized for contributions made to the interpretation of the infrared spectra of molecules in terms of their vibrational motion, and also to our understanding of the cohesion of molecule
Molecule
A molecule is an electrically neutral group of at least two atoms held together by covalent chemical bonds. Molecules are distinguished from ions by their electrical charge...
by means of hydrogen bonding. His studies of the laser Raman spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy is a spectroscopic technique used to study vibrational, rotational, and other low-frequency modes in a system.It relies on inelastic scattering, or Raman scattering, of monochromatic light, usually from a laser in the visible, near infrared, or near ultraviolet range...
of proteins and nucleic acids opened a new field of research.
In addition to receiving the President's Certificate of Merit
President's Certificate of Merit
The President's Certificate of Merit was created June 6, 1946 by Executive Order 9734 signed by US President Harry Truman, "for award by the President or at his direction to any civilian who on or after December 7, 1941 , has performed a meritorious act or service which has aided the United States...
in 1948, Lord was given the Award in Spectroscopy from the Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Society in 1966 and was made an honorary member of the Society of Applied Spectroscopy in 1967. He served as a member and president (1957–61) of the Commission of Molecular Spectroscopy of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, and was president of the Optical Society of America
Optical Society of America
The Optical Society is a scientific society dedicated to advancing the study of light—optics and photonics—in theory and application, by means of publishing, organizing conferences and exhibitions, partnership with industry, and education. The organization has members in more than 100 countries...
(1964), and received the Lippincott Medal from them in 1976. He was also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
. He served as a consultant with the Central Research Department of the du Pont Company from 1948 to 1980.
External links
- Articles Published by early OSA Presidents Journal of the Optical Society of America
- Richard C. Lord's obituary
See also
- Optical Society of America#Past Presidents of the OSA