Hugh Stott Taylor facts for kids

Sir Hugh Stott Taylor (born February 6, 1890 – died April 17, 1974) was an English chemist. He was very interested in how catalysts work. Catalysts are substances that speed up chemical reactions without being used up themselves.

In 1925, Sir Hugh made a big discovery about catalysts. He said that a chemical reaction doesn't happen all over the surface of a catalyst. Instead, it only happens at special spots called 'active sites'. He also helped create ways to get heavy water during World War II. Heavy water is a special type of water used in some nuclear processes. He was also a pioneer in using stable isotopes to study chemical reactions. Isotopes are different forms of the same chemical element.

Early Life and Education

Hugh Stott Taylor was born in St Helens, England, in 1890. His father, James, worked with glass. Hugh went to Cowley Grammar School.

After school, he studied at the University of Liverpool. He earned his first science degree in 1909 and a master's degree in 1910. He continued his studies for three more years in Liverpool. Then, he spent a year at the Nobel Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. He also studied for a year in Hanover, Germany. These studies helped him earn his PhD from the University of Liverpool in 1914.

Important Scientific Discoveries

Sir Hugh Taylor made several key discoveries in chemistry. He showed that some chemical processes, like chemisorption, can happen slowly. Chemisorption is when molecules stick to a surface through chemical bonds.

He also had the idea that the special 'active sites' on a catalyst's surface might be few and far between. This means that even a small number of molecules could stop these sites from working.

Taylor also found that hydrogen atoms are very important in reactions involving hydrogen gas on metal surfaces. He also discovered how to change heptane, a type of fuel, into toluene using chromium oxide. Toluene is used to make many chemicals.

Understanding Protein Structure

Sir Hugh Taylor and one of his students worked on understanding proteins. They created the first good model of something called the α-helix. The α-helix is a common shape found in proteins. Think of it like a spiral staircase.

Another scientist, William Astbury, had made an earlier model. But it wasn't quite right. Taylor used physical models and his chemistry knowledge to find a better one. His model was very close to the modern α-helix shape. This shape was later fully described by Linus Pauling and Robert Corey. Taylor shared his findings in 1941 and 1942.

Work at Princeton University

Sir Hugh Taylor started working at Princeton in 1914. He began as a teacher of Physical Chemistry. By 1915, he became an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Professor of Physical Chemistry in 1922.

In 1926, he became the head of the Chemistry Department at Princeton. He held this position until 1951. From 1945 to 1958, Taylor also served as the Dean of the Graduate School at Princeton. As the head of the Chemistry Department, he worked hard to improve it. He also oversaw the building of the Frick Chemical Laboratory.

He received the American Chemical Society's Remsen Award in the year he retired. In May 1932, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom.

Personal Life and Beliefs

Hugh Taylor married Elizabeth Agnes Sawyer on June 12, 1919. They had two daughters.

Taylor was a dedicated Catholic. He helped set up the Catholic chaplaincy at Princeton in 1928. He often spoke publicly about how science and faith can go together. He received special honors from the Pope and from the country of Belgium.

Awards and Lasting Impact

Sir Hugh Taylor was honored by both Pope Pius XII and Queen Elizabeth II. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1928. This is a group that promotes useful knowledge.

An anonymous gift of $500,000 was given to Princeton University. This money helped create the Hugh Stott Taylor Chair of Chemistry. This special position honors Taylor's important work at Princeton.

Death

Sir Hugh Stott Taylor passed away on April 17, 1974, in Princeton, New Jersey.