Manson Benedict
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| Born | 9 October 1907 Lake Linden, Michigan |
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| Died | 18 September 2006 Naples, Florida |
| Institution | Manhattan Project MIT Atomic Energy Commission |
| Alma mater | Cornell MIT |
| Notable prizes | William H. Walker Award (1947)
Perkin Medal (1966) Robert E. Wilson Award (1968) Enrico Fermi Award (1972) National Medal of Science (1975) |
Manson Benedict (9 October 1907 in Lake Linden, Michigan — 18 September 2006 in Naples, Florida)[1] was a professor of nuclear engineering at MIT. From 1958 to 1968, he was the chairman of the advisory committee to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
Prof. Benedict received a B.S. from Cornell University in chemistry, and a Ph.D. from MIT in physical chemistry. It was at MIT where he met his wife Marjorie, who also received a PhD in chemistry.
Dr. Benedict was well-known for his pioneering role in Nuclear Engineering. He developed the gaseous diffusion method for separating the isotopes of uranium and supervised the engineering and process development of the K-25 plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where fissionable material for the atomic bomb was produced. He received many awards for his work on the Manhattan Project during World War II, and for his later career as a scientist, educator, and public servant, which focused on nuclear power and other peaceful uses of atomic energy. Among his awards were: the William H. Walker award in 1947, the Perkin Medal in 1966, the Robert E. Wilson Award in 1968, the Enrico Fermi Award in 1972, and the National Medal of Science from President Gerald Ford in 1975.
From 1958 to 1968, Dr. Benedict was a member and chair of the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, appointed by Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy.
He established the Nuclear Engineering department at MIT in 1958 (prior to 1958 it was a program in Chemical Engineering started by Benedict in 1951)[1], and was head of the department until 1971. He had a role in educating over 500 graduate students.
He died at his home in Naples, Florida, on September 18, 2006. His wife Marjorie died in 1995 after 59 years of marriage. Two daughters, Marjorie Cohn of Arlington, Mass., and Mary Sauer of Naperville, Illinois, and Naples, Florida, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive him.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Manson Benedict, 98, chemist on Manhattan Project, dies", Tech Talk, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, September 27, 2006, pp. 6. Retrieved on 2006-10-30.
