Theodore L. Cairns (July 20, 1914 – September 26, 1994) was an American

chemist A chemist (from Greek ''chēm(ía)'' alchemy; replacing ''chymist'' from Medieval Latin ''alchemist'') is a graduated scientist trained in the study of chemistry, or an officially enrolled student in the field. Chemists study the composition of ...

, a member of the

National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a United States nonprofit, NGO, non-governmental organization. NAS is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, along with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the ...

, a research scientist at

DuPont Central Research In 1957, the research organization of the Chemicals Department of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company was renamed Central Research Department, beginning the history of the premier scientific organization within DuPont and one of the foremost indu ...

, known for his contributions to U.S. scientific policy and applications of chemistry. National Academies Press:Theodore L. Cairns Organic Syntheses
/ref>
/ref> Cairns was the director of the Central Research Department of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. He was also the chair of the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the National Research Council, on President

Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 until Resignation of Richard Nixon, his resignation in 1974. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican ...

's Science Policy Task Force and Nixon's Science Advisory Committee. His daughter Margaret C. Etter became a noted chemist in her own right, conducting her research at the

University of Minnesota The University of Minnesota Twin Cities (historically known as University of Minnesota) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint ...

Awards and distinctions

* The City of Wilmington's Outstanding Citizen Award, 1963 * The American Chemical Society Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, 1968 * SOCMA (Society of Chemical Manufacturers Association) Medal for Creative Research in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, 1968 * Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, University of Alberta, 1970 *

Perkin Medal The Perkin Medal is an award given annually by the Society of Chemical Industry (American Section) to a scientist residing in America for an "innovation in applied chemistry resulting in outstanding commercial development." It is considered the ...

, American section of the Society of Chemical Industry, 1973 *

Elliott Cresson Medal The Elliott Cresson Medal, also known as the Elliott Cresson Gold Medal, was the highest award given by the Franklin Institute. The award was established by Elliott Cresson, life member of the Franklin Institute, with $1,000 granted in 1848. Th ...

, The Franklin Institute, 1974

Notable government assignments

* The Delaware Governor's Council on Science and Technology, 1969-72 * President Nixon's Science Policy Task Force, 1969 * The President's Science Advisory Committee, 1970-73 * The President's Committee on the National Medal of Science, 1974-75 * The Polytechnic Institute of New York Advisory Council for Chemistry, 1976-78

References

External links

National Academy of Sciences Biographical Memoir
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cairns, Theodore L. 1914 births 1994 deaths 20th-century American chemists Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences