Kenneth Pitzer

Kenneth S. Pitzer
Kenneth Sanborn Pitzer
3rd President of Rice University
In office 1961–1968
6th President of Stanford University
In office 1969–1971
Personal details
Born	January 6, 1914(1914-01-06) Pomona, California
Died	December 26, 1997(1997-12-26) (aged 83) Berkeley, California
Alma mater	California Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley

Kenneth Sanborn Pitzer (January 6, 1914 – December 26, 1997) was an American physical and theoretical chemist, educator, and university president.^[1]

He received his B.S. in 1935 from the California Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1937. Upon graduation, he was appointed to the faculty of Berkeley's Chemistry Department and was eventually elevated to professor. From 1951 to 1960, he served as dean of the College of Chemistry.

He was the third president of Rice University from 1961 until 1968 and sixth president of Stanford University from 1969 until 1971 when he returned to Berkeley. He retired in 1984, but continued research until his death.

He was Director of Research for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission from 1949 to 1951 and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.^[2]

As a scientist he was known for his work on the thermodynamic properties of molecules,^[3][4][5] and during his long career he won many awards, mostly notably the National Medal of Science and the Priestley Medal.

His father, Russell K. Pitzer, founded Pitzer College, one of the seven Claremont Colleges in California. His son, Russell M. Pitzer is also a notable chemist who currently serves on the faculty at The Ohio State University.

In the public hearing that led to the revocation of Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance, Kenneth Pitzer testified about his policy differences with Oppenheimer concerning the development of thermonuclear weapons.^[6]

Contents 1 See also 2 Books 3 References 4 External links

See also

Pitzer equations

Pitzer Strain ^[7]

Books

• Rossini, Frederick D.; Pitzer, Kenneth S.; Arnett, Raymond L.; Braun, Rita M.; Pimentel, George C. (1953). Selected Values of Physical and Thermodynamic Properties of Hydrocarbons and Related Compounds: Comprising the Tables of the American Petroleum Institure Research Project 44 Extant as of December 31, 1952. Pittsburgh: Carnegie Press. 

• Pitzer, Kenneth S. (1953). Quantum Chemistry. New York: Prentice-Hall. 

• Pitzer, Kenneth S. (1995). Thermodynamics (third ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07050221-8.  With acknowledgment to Gilbert Newton Lewis and Merle Randall, authors of the first edition, and to Leo Brewer, coauthor of the second edition.

References

1. ^ Hughes, Sally Smith; Leberge, Germaine, eds (1999). Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. 
2. ^ National Academy of Sciences memoir
3. ^ Curl, Robert F.; Gwinn, William D. (1990). "Biography of Kenneth S. Pitzer". J. Phys. Chem. 94 (20): 7743–7753. doi:10.1021/j100383a001. 
4. ^ Pitzer, Kenneth S., ed (1993). Molecular Structure and Statistical Thermodynamics: Selected Papers of Kenneth S. Pitzer. World Scientific Series in 20th Century Chemistry. 1. Singapore: World Scientific. ISBN 9810214391. 
5. ^ Rard, Joseph A. (1999). "Memorial Tribute Kenneth Sanborn Pitzer 1914-1997". Journal of Solution Chemistry 28 (4): 247–264. doi:10.1023/A:1022619709105. 
6. ^ In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer: Transcript of Hearing Before Personnel Security Board. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. 1954. pp. 697–709. http://www.archive.org/details/unitedstatesatom007206mbp. 
7. ^ Gold Book Link

External links

• Guide to the Kenneth S. Pitzer Papers at The Bancroft Library

Academic offices
Preceded by William Vermillion Houston	President of Rice University 1961-1968	Succeeded by Norman Hackerman
Preceded by Wallace Sterling	President of Stanford University 1969–1971	Succeeded by Richard W. Lyman

Stanford University Presidents Jordan • Branner • Wilbur • Swain (acting) • Wilbur • Tresidder • Eurich (acting) • Sterling • Pitzer • Lyman • Kennedy • Casper • Hennessy

Persondata
Name	Pitzer, Kenneth Sanborn
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	January 6, 1914
Place of birth	Pomona, California
Date of death	December 26, 1997
Place of death	Berkeley, California