Oral history interview with E. Bright Wilson, Jr.
- 1986-Nov-17 (First session)
- 1986-Nov-18 (Second session)
Oral history interview with E. Bright Wilson, Jr.
- 1986-Nov-17 (First session)
- 1986-Nov-18 (Second session)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.E. Bright Wilson, Jr. begins the interview with a description of his parents, childhood, and early education. He then discusses his undergraduate and graduate studies at Princeton University, where he was inspired by the intellectual atmosphere and affable faculty. After reviewing the curriculum, his senior thesis on quantum mechanics, and his experience at Tuxedo Park, he recalls his years at the California Institute of Technology, where he began work with vibration and group theory. Next, he describes his work at Harvard, focusing on advances in spectroscopy, and his government research at Woods Hole and in Washington, D.C. Wilson concludes with a brief profile of his family and a few remarks on his publications.
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About the Interviewer
Raymond C. Ferguson obtained his degrees in chemistry from Iowa State University (BS, MS) and Harvard University (PhD). He worked in research divisions of the Organic Chemicals, Elastomer Chemicals, and Central Research Departments of DuPont, principally in molecular spectroscopy, organic structure analysis, and polymer characterization. Currently he is affiliated with CONDUX, Inc., a consulting association of former DuPont professionals.
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| Oral history number | 0061 |
Related Items
Interviewee biographical information
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Education
| Year | Institution | Degree | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Princeton University | BS | Chemistry |
| 1931 | Princeton University | MA | |
| 1933 | California Institute of Technology | PhD | Physical Chemistry |
Professional Experience
California Institute of Technology
- 1933 to 1934 Research Fellow
Harvard University
- 1934 to 1936 Junior Fellow, Society of Fellows
- 1936 to 1939 Assistant Professor
- 1939 to 1946 Associate Professor
- 1946 to 1979 Professor
- 1947 to 1979 Theodore William Richards Professor of Chemistry
- 1979 Professor Emeritus
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- 1942 to 1944 Research Director, Underwater Explosives Research Laboratory
United States. Office of Scientific Research and Development. National Defense Research Committee
- 1944 to 1946 Chief, Division 2
United States. Department of Defense
- 1952 to 1953 Weapons System Evaluation Group
Honors
| Year(s) | Award |
|---|---|
| 1937 | Award in Pure Chemistry, American Chemical Society |
| 1942 | Honorary MA, Harvard University |
| 1948 | Medal for Merit, United States Government |
| 1949 to 1950 | Guggenheim Fellow |
| 1962 | Debye Award in Physical Chemistry, American Chemical Society |
| 1966 | Alumni Distinguished Service Award, California Institute of Technology |
| 1966 | James Flack Norris Award in Teaching of Chemistry, Northeast Section, American Chemical Society |
| 1969 | G. N. Lewis Award, California Section, American Chemical Society |
| 1970 to 1971 | Guggenheim Fellow |
| 1972 | Pauling Award, Oregon and Puget Sound Section, American Chemical Society |
| 1973 | Rumford Medal, American Academy of Arts and Sciences |
| 1975 | D. honoris causa, Free University of Brussels |
| 1976 | Honorary DSc degree, Dickinson College |
| 1976 | Dr chemistry, University of Bologna |
| 1976 | National Medal of Science |
| 1976 | Antonio Feltrinelli Award, Rome, Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei |
| 1977 | Monie A. Ferst Award, Sigma Xi |
| 1978 | Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award |
| 1978 | T. W. Richards Medal, Northeast Section, American Chemical Society |
| 1978 | Robert A. Welch Award |
| 1978 | Earl A. Plyler Award, American Physical Society |
| 1979 | Honorary DSc degree, Columbia University |
| 1979 | Willard Gibbs Award |
| 1979 | Lippincott Medal |
| 1981 | Honorary DSc degree, Princeton University |
| 1983 | Honorary DSc degree, Clarkson College |
| 1983 | Honorary DSc degree, Harvard University |
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Complete transcript of interview
The published version of the transcript may diverge from the interview audio due to edits to the transcript made by staff of the Center for Oral History, often at the request of the interviewee, during the transcript review process.