Lawrence H. Knox

Lawrence Howland Knox (September 30, 1906 – January 6, 1966) was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts and died of carbon monoxide poisoning at Colegio Vista Hermosa, Mexico City.[1] He was among the first African-Americans to receive a PhD in chemistry, following his eldest brother William Jacob Knox Jr. (1904–1995).[2] He worked with Paul Doughty Bartlett on an experiment for testing organic mechanisms in chemistry which involved the use of the molecule bicyclo(2.2.1)heptane, a type of bicyclic molecule. Additionally, Lawrence made significant contributions such as publishing papers about aromatic hydrocarbon molecules and proved Erick Hückel's theory about aromatic hydrocarbons correct. [3]

Family

In the 1820's Elijah Knox -grandfather of Lawrence- was born in North Carolina to a slave family. Through hard-work and determination he became an expert carpenter then bought his freedom in 1846. He travelled North and settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Elijah's son -William Jacob- established an important precedent for future generations of upward mobility through education. William received the highest score on the New Bedford civil-service exam in 1903 and then acquired a position at the post-office in 1905. He eventually married Estella and the two had 5 children; two daughters and three sons (William, Lawrence, and Clinton). [4]

Education

In 1928, Knox received a Bachelors of Science degree in chemistry at Bates College. Throughout his attendance at Bates College he participated in numerous extracurriculars; member of the Jordan Scientific Society and lettered football as a right halfback. He experienced little discrimination during his attendance at Bates College. In 1930, Lawrence started at Stanford University and after one year he received a Masters of Science degree. Knox continued his education at Harvard University and received his Doctorate in organic chemistry in 1940.[5][6] His dissertation was titled "[Bicyclic structures prohibiting the Walden inversion. Replacement reactions in 1-substituted 1-apocamphanes]".[7]

Career

In 1944, Knox worked for the Division of War Research at Columbia University where he studied radiation. His work was utilized in research for the Manhattan Project in regards to the effects of atomic bombs. [8]

Knox is credited with at least two U.S. Patents, Production of Arecoline accepted on May 2nd, 1950[9][10]and Photochemical Preparation of Tropilidenes in 1953.[10]

Knox was head of the chemistry department at North Carolina College[10] (formerly called the North Carolina College for Negros) and taught at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. [11]

References
  1. Lanum, Mackenzie (January 27, 2012). "Lawrence Howland Knox (1906-1966)". Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  2. "Chemical Relations: William and Lawrence Knox, African American Chemists". Science History Institute. July 2, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  3. Weininger, Stephen; GortlerJan. 14, Leon; 2011; Am, 10:00 (January 14, 2011). "Perspective: Stumbling Through History: Discovering Unsung African-American Chemists". Science | AAAS. Retrieved October 17, 2020.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. "Chemical Relations: William and Lawrence Knox, African American Chemists". Science History Institute. July 2, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  5. "Chemical Relations: William and Lawrence Knox, African American Chemists". Science History Institute. July 2, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  6. "Lawrence Knox". Atomic Heritage Foundation. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  7. "https://hollis.harvard.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=HVD2&search_scope=everything&tab=everything&lang=en_US&docid=01HVD_ALMA211894621300003941". hollis.harvard.edu. Retrieved October 24, 2020. External link in |title= (help)
  8. "Lawrence Knox". Atomic Heritage Foundation. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  9. Knox, Lawrence Howland (May 2, 1950). "Production of arecoline". Google Patents. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  10. Sluby, Patricia Carter. (2004). The inventive spirit of African Americans : patented ingenuity. Westport, Conn.: Praeger. ISBN 0-275-96674-7. OCLC 53814689.
  11. "Lawrence Knox". Atomic Heritage Foundation. Retrieved October 10, 2020.


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