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Howard Ensign Simmons Jr.

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Howard Ensign Simmons Jr.
Simmons, Spring 1993, Wilmington, Delaware
Born(1929-06-17)June 17, 1929
Norfolk, Virginia United States
DiedApril 26, 1997(1997-04-26) (aged 67)
EducationMassachusetts Institute of Technology
Known forSimmons–Smith reaction
AwardsLavoisier Medal (1994)
Priestley Medal (1994)
National Medal of Science (1992)
Charles Goodyear Medal (1952)
Scientific career
WorkplacesDuPont Central Research

Howard Ensign Simmons Jr. (June 17, 1929 – April 26, 1997) was an American chemist, who studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, before starting a long career at DuPont, who with his workmate Ronald D. Smith discovered the Simmons–Smith reaction.

Biography

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Simmons was born on June 17, 1929, in Norfolk, Virginia and was an only child. His father was a Sea Captain and his mother was a descendant of Jacob Hübner. Growing up he had a laboratory at home which he began conducting experiments in at the age of 12.[1]

Despite winning a scholarship to attend the University of Virgina, he instead decided to study at MIT and gained a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1951, where he minored in mathematics and physics, remaining at MIT to complete his post graduate education,[1] and conducting his research under Jack D. Roberts and Arthur C. Cope.[2]

By 1954 he had completed his doctorate and he accepted an offer to join DuPont.[1] Simmons worked in DuPonts Central Research and Development department,[1] beginning research into polyacetylene before moving onto fluoroketone.[2] During his career at DuPont, he and his colleague Ronald D. Smith discovered the Simmons-Smith reaction,[3] and published a journal about it in 1958.[4] By 1959 Simmons had been promoted to be a Supervisor at DuPont.[1]

In 1976, Simmons served as Chair of the organic division of the American Chemical Society.[5] He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences,[6] the National Academy of Sciences,[7] and the American Philosophical Society.[8]

He retired from DuPont in 1992, after becoming Vice President, and the same year as he was given the National Medal of Science by President Bush,[1] due to his "fundamental contributions to synthesis, molecular structure, and the theory of organic chemistry, and for his productive management of the premier industrial chemical research program in the United States".[9]

The American Chemical Society awarded him the Priestley Medal for his contributions to chemistry,[3] and DuPont awarded him the Lavoisier Medal, in 1994.[10]

He was a heavy smoker for most of his life and developed lung cancer and heart disease.[3] He died on April 26, 1997.[1]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jefferson, Edward G. (1999). "Howard Ensign Simmons, Jr. (17 June 1929-26 April 1997)". Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. 143 (4): 719–726. ISSN 0003-049X – via JSTOR.
  2. 1 2 "Oral history interview with Howard E. Simmons, Jr". Science History Institute Digital Collections. 1993-04-27. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Priestley Medal was awarded to Howard E. Simmons". LifeScienceHistory.com. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  4. ↑ "Simmons-Smith Reaction: Definition, Mechanism, and Examples". Chemistry Learner. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  5. ↑ ACS Organic Division History. - Retrieved 2018-9-24.
  6. ↑ "Howard Ensign Simmons". American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  7. ↑ "H. E. Simmons Jr". www.nasonline.org. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  8. ↑ "APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  9. ↑ Santisi, Jennifer. "Howard E. Simmons Jr". National Science and Technology Medals Foundation. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
  10. ↑ Schulz, William (1997-05-12). "Howard Simmons, former DuPont executive, dies at 67". Chemical & Engineering News Archive. 75 (19): 14–14. doi:10.1021/cen-v075n019.p014a. ISSN 0009-2347.

Further reading

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