Moddie Taylor facts for kids

Moddie Taylor (born March 3, 1912, died September 15, 1976) was an important African American chemist. He was an expert in special materials called rare earth minerals. From 1943 to 1945, he worked on the Manhattan Project. This was a secret project to develop the atomic bomb during World War II. For his valuable work on this project, he received a special award called the Certificate of Merit Medal.

Early Life and Education

Moddie Taylor was born in Nymph, Alabama, in 1912. He grew up in the southern United States during a time when schools and public places were separated by race. His parents were Celeste (Oliver) Taylor and Herbert L. Taylor. Later, his family moved to St. Louis, where his father worked for the postal service.

Moddie was a very bright student. In 1935, he earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in chemistry, from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was the top student in his graduating class. After college, he stayed at Lincoln University for a while, teaching chemistry.

He then decided to continue his studies at the University of Chicago. There, he earned his Master of Science (M.S.) degree in 1939. He then completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1943. His advanced studies focused on rare earth minerals.

Research and Career

From 1943 to 1945, Dr. Taylor joined the Manhattan Project. He worked as a research associate at the Metallurgical Laboratory. Scientists at this lab were working on creating the outer shell, or casing, for the atomic bomb.

After World War II ended, Dr. Taylor went back to his old university, Lincoln University School of Law. He continued teaching chemistry there. In 1948, he moved to Howard University to become an Associate Professor of chemistry. He became a full Professor in 1959. From 1969 to 1976, he led the university's Chemistry Department. He retired on April 1, 1976, as a Professor Emeritus. This title is given to professors who have retired but are still highly respected.

At Howard University, Dr. Taylor studied how some carboxylic acids break apart when they are in a gas form. In 1952, he became a member of the Washington Academy of Sciences because of this important work. In 1956, he received a research grant from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to continue his studies. Many science groups recognized him for being an excellent teacher. These included the Manufacturing Chemists' Association and the Washington Institute of Chemists. In 1960, he wrote a chemistry textbook called First Principles of Chemistry. This book became very popular in colleges across the United States.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Moddie Taylor received several awards and honors for his contributions to science:

• Certificate of Merit Medal, 1946
• Inducted Member, Washington Academy of Sciences, 1952
• Top College Chemistry Professor, Manufacturing Chemists' Association, 1960
• Honor Scroll, Washington Institute of Chemists, 1972
• Fellow, American Institute of Chemists

Personal Life

Moddie Taylor married Vivian Ellis in 1937. They had one son, named Herbert Moddie Taylor. Dr. Taylor passed away on May 30, 1976, in Washington, DC.