William Standish Knowles

American chemist

William Standish Knowleswas an American chemist. He was born in Taunton, Massachusetts.

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About the William Standish Knowles

William Standish Knowleswas an American chemist. He was born in Taunton, Massachusetts. Knowles was one of the recipients of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He split half the prize with Ryoji Noyori for their work in asymmetric synthesis, specifically for his work in hydrogenation reactions. The other half was awarded to K. Barry Sharpless for his work in oxidation reactions.

14 Quotes by William Standish Knowles

  1. 1.

    I was one who liked to work with my hands as well as my brain.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  2. 2.

    At this point I was strongly advised that I was too young socially to go to college so I took a second senior year at Andover, another boarding school.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  3. 3.

    I can’t think of any relatives that ever went into science.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  4. 4.

    Later in the fifties I got involved in kinetic studies using my long forgotten math background.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  5. 5.

    To my father, business was the highest calling, but to my mother, medicine was the top profession.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  6. 6.

    In those days industry would hire any chemist that could breathe.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  7. 7.

    In those days I was terrible at athletics and never made a team, but quite easily led my class in academics.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  8. 8.

    My family background was heavily slanted toward business and seafaring matters.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  9. 9.

    I was particularly good at math and science.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  10. 10.

    I’ll never forget the fall colors on the Berkshires.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  11. 11.

    At the time my dog had a fungus on her chest that wouldn’t heal and resisted treatment. I made an ointment with our product and it cleared up in two days. She lived to 17 years.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  12. 12.

    At Harvard I majored in chemistry with a strong inclination toward math.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  13. 13.

    I was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on June 1, 1917, but I actually grew up in nearby New Bedford.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist

  14. 14.

    My family gave me the best in education.

    William Standish Knowles

    American chemist