Vol. 15, No. 3 314 ‘ IND UXTRIAL AhTD ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

AMERICAN CONTEMPORARIES

Charles Frederick Mabery The name of Mabery is known and respected wherever petro-

leum and its products are under scientific discussion. In this field he is preeminent, not only in this country, but the world over. In all recent books on the chemistry of petroleum, his researches are probably more frequently cited and discussed than those of all others combined, as far as the field of the com- position of American petroleum is con- cerned.

His first work had to do with the con- stitution and derivatives of furfural. In the early days of electric smelting he became interested, with the Cowles brothers, in the development of their internally heated elec- tric furnace, and was closely associated with them in all their development work from 1884 until their industry was removed from Cleveland to Lockport, N. Y . In this work they were the first to produce all the many electric-furnace products which have since become such important items in industrial chemistry-calcium carbide, carborundum, fused alumina, and artificially made graphite -although they did not interest them- selves in the commercial development of these products.

Mabery began his work on petroleum about 1887 and has steadily continued in this field ever since, with the help of many

tive and broader fields of activity, he steadily remained there until his retirement.

At the time of his retirement, with the purpose of arousing more enthusiasm among the students in chemical engineering a t Case, he established a prize to be given each year for the best research of the year in chemistry, account being taken of the

Edmondson C. F. MABERY

of his students and other assistants. In addition to this field he has occupied himself largely with the constitution and action of lubricants. . Professor Mabery is a native of Maine, of Scotch-Irish stock, which gave him a strong body and vigorous constitution, as well as a keen sense of accuracy, honor, and justice.

As a young graduate of chemistry of the Lawrence Scientific School, his first position was as assistant in chemistry a t Harvard College. From there he was called, in 1883, to become professor of chemistry at Case School of Applied Science, which position he occupied continuously until 1911, when he retired from active teaching work on account of ill health. Since then he has spent all the time that his health would permit in research and travel. To his students and friends, Professor Mabery is best known as

a lovable and vigorous teacher of his science. He brought with him to Case School of Applied Science from Harvard College, a fine training in his profession. Every Case student during those years was inspired by his enthusiasm and skill as alecturer, and his specia1:students by his knowledge and assistance in research work. He was a great lover of baseball, and frequently during the noon hour could be seen on the campus playing ball with his students as enthusiastically as the most active of them.

Professor Mabery’s connection with Case School of Applied Science began when technical engineering education was in its infancy, and his methods of instruction in this field and his many discussions before chemical societies on technical education have contributedLlargely to its present development in America. His affection for Case School of Applied Science was such that, though he-had numerous opportunities to go to more remunera-

presentation of the subject and its history, as well as the laboratory work accom- plished.

The years since his retirement have been fully and congenially employed in contin- uing research work with petroleum and lubricants. He can be found most fre- quently in his particular corner of the laboratory surrounded with innumerable fractions of petroleum, usually with one or two assistants, becoming, if possible, daily more enthusiastic about the oppor- tunities offered in his particular field. During this time, he has also given his help freely to students who have questions to ask and has given numerous kindly talks before student organizations con- nected with Case School of Applied Science.

He is a keen lover of art and has many connections with art activities in Cleve- land, particularly with the development of the Cleveland School of Art and the Cleve- land Art Museum.

At present, Professor Mabery is carrying out a long-cherished Droiect of a trip around

the world with Mrs. Mabery,who has a l ia& been a i y a l and intelligent supporter of his many activities.

ALBERT W. SMITH

Indiana Section Program The tentative program for the rest of this year is as follows:

March 9: L. M. TOLMAN, of Wilson and Co., Chicago, on “The Place of Meat in the Diet.”

April 13: Program in charge of Eli Lilly and Company. Probable subject, ‘‘Insulin.” It is hoped that one of the men from the University of Toronto, who is in touch with the original research being done there, will be present to speak on the subject.

April 21: Special joint meeting with the Purdue Section at Lafayette, Ind. H. C. PARMELEE, Editor of Chemical and MefoElurgicat Engineering, will speak.

June 8:

on Thursday, May 3. as published in the February issue of THIS JOURNAL.

iMeeting at Bloomington, Ind., with Indiana University.

President E. C. Franklin is expected to visit this section This date was omitted from his itinerary

News Bulletin at New Haven A t the New Haven meeting of the AMERICAN CHWICAL

SOCIETY, the Yule Alumni Weekly will publish supplementary morning issues on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. These issues will contain the news of the preceding day and the com- plete registration to date, including home and New Haven ad- dresses. Since there will be no issue on Friday, the names of the late registrants will have to be obtained a t registration head- quarters.