Warren D. Niederhauser

Warren D. Niederhauser
Born(1918-01-02)January 2, 1918
Akron, Ohio, US
DiedJanuary 23, 2005(2005-01-23) (aged 87)
West Brandywine, Pennsylvania, US
Alma materOberlin College (AB)
University of Wisconsin (PhD)
Scientific career
InstitutionsRohm & Haas
ThesisPreparation and reactions of chemical warfare agents (1943)
Doctoral advisorHomer Burton Adkins

Warren Dexter Niederhauser (January 2, 1918 – January 23, 2005) was an American chemist who was the President of the American Chemical Society (ACS). He worked at Rohm and Haas chemical company from 1943 to 1985.[1][2]

Early life and education

Niederhauser was born in Akron, Ohio and grew up in Gadsden, Alabama.[1] He received a B.S. in chemistry from Oberlin College and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (1942).[3]

Career

Rohm and Haas

Upon graduation, Niederhauser joined Rohm & Haas as head of the surfactant group in 1943. He would work with the company in various positions until his retirement in early 1990s.[1] As an industrial chemist, he held more than 50 patents.[2]

American Chemical Society presidency

Niederhauser became ACS member in 1942 and began serving as the American Chemical Society national director in 1976 and after seven years ran for the presidency in 1984. During the campaign, his opponent F. Albert Cotton caused a controversy by mailing a letter to selected members describing Niederhauser as "a mediocre industrial chemist".[1][4]

As the president of ACS, he promoted programs that would increase the professional value of chemists. He urged ACS to take a more active role in monitoring federal research funding plans and supported tax incentives for R&D. He also encouraged industry accountability by publishing the records of employers that flout ACS guidelines.[2][5]

Membership and honors

He was a member of the Philadelphia Organic Chemists' Club, the American Institute of Chemists, the Society of Chemical Industry, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.[2][6]

In 1985, he received the Henry Hill Award.[7]

Works

  • Legal Rights of Chemists and Engineers. Advances in Chemistry. Vol. 161. Washington DC: American Chemical Society. 1 June 1977. doi:10.1021/ba-1977-0161. ISBN 978-0-8412-0357-0. OCLC 990733247.

Death

Niederhauser died on 23 January 2005, at the age of 87.[2][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Niederhauser Serves as ACS President-elect". Badger Chemist Newsletter. No. 30. UW-Madison Libraries. 30 November 1983. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Gilman, Victoria (23 May 2005). "W. D. NIEDERHAUSER Dies at 87". Chemical & Engineering News. 83 (21): 43. doi:10.1021/cen-v083n021.p043. ISSN 0009-2347. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  3. ^ Niederhauser, Warren D (1943). Preparation and reactions of chemical warfare agents (PhD). University of Wisconsin, Madison. OCLC 15560314. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  4. ^ Hargittai, Istvan (26 January 2000). Candid Science: Conversations With Famous Chemists. World Scientific. pp. 241–242. ISBN 978-1-78326-214-4. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  5. ^ Niederhauser, Warren D. (2 January 1984). "President's Message: ACS and the Future". Chemical & Engineering News. 62 (1): 2–3. doi:10.1021/cen-v062n001.p002. ISSN 0009-2347. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  6. ^ "AAAS Officers, Staff, Committees, and Representatives for 1980". Science. 207 (4433): 871–876. 22 February 1980. Bibcode:1980Sci...207..871.. doi:10.1126/science.6986650. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 6986650. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Henry Hill Award". acsprof.org. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Dr. Warren Dexter Niederhauser Obituary (2005)". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 23, 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2022.