F. S. Rowland

Dates

June 28, 1927 – March 10, 2012

Authorized Form of Name

Rowland, F. S.

Additional Forms of Names

Rowland, F. S., 1927-2012

Rowland, F. Sherwood

Rowland, Frank Sherwood

Rowland, Frank Sherwood, 1927-2012

Biography

Abstract

F. Sherwood Rowland was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 alongside Paul J. Crutzen and Mario J. Molina "for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone." He is recognized not only for his discovery of the dangers of chlorofluorocarbon molecules to the atmosphere, but also for his unrelenting advocacy to stop ozone depletion even in the face of criticism and disbelief. The majority of his career was spent at University of California, Irvine.

Important Dates

June 28, 1927Birth, Delaware (Ohio).

1948Obtained BSc degrees in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware (Ohio).

1952Obtained PhD in Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago (Ill.).

1952Instructor, Chemistry Department, Princeton University, Princeton (N.J.).

1953 – 1955Spent three summers at Chemistry Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton (N.Y.).

1956Assistant Professor, University of Kansas, Lawrence (Kan.).

1956 – 1994Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) supports Rowland's research at various institutions.

1964 – 2012Professor of Chemistry (1964-2012); Chairman, Chemistry Department (1964-1970); and co-founder, Earth System Science Department, University of California, Irvine, Irvine (Calif.).

1972Attended Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chemistry-Meteorology workshop which prompted his research on chlorofluorocarbon compounds in the atmosphere.

1974Published discovery of CFCs alongside Mario J. Molina in Nature article, "Stratospheric sink for chlorofluoromethanes: chlorine atom-catalysed destruction of ozone".

1976National Academy of Sciences confirms Rowland's warnings about CFCs.

1987First 24 nations sign the Montreal Accords, banning certain CFCs and working to ban others.

1993 – 1994President, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

1994 – 2002Foreign Secretary, U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

1995Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Paul J. Crutzen and Mario J. Molina "for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone".

March 10, 2012Death, Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.).

Occupation

Atmospheric chemist.

Places

Subjects

Atmospheric chemistry.

Relationships

People

Family

Lundberg, Joan

Wife, married 1952.

Rowland, Ingrid

Daughter.

Rowland, Jeffrey

Son.

Advisors & Collaborators

Allen, Heather C.

Advised by Rowland at University of California, Irvine.

Blake, Donald R.

Advised by Rowland at University of California, Irvine.

Cicerone, Ralph J.

Collaborated on founding Earth System Science department, University of California, Irvine.

Crutzen, Paul J., 1933-

Awarded 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Rowland and Molina "for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone."

Fermi, Enrico, 1901-1954

Advisor at University of Chicago.

Haskin, Larry Allen

Advised by Rowland at University of Kansas.

Johnston, Nancy A.

Advised by Rowland at University of California, Irvine.

Libby, Willard F.

Advisor at University of Chicago.

Lopez, Jimena d.

Advised by Rowland at University of California, Irvine.

Mayer, Maria Goeppert, 1906-1972

Advisor at University of Chicago.

Molina, Mario J.

Advised by Rowland at University of California, Irvine and shared 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone."

Musgrave, Burdun C.

Advised by Rowland at University of Kansas.

Root, John W., 1935-

Advised by Rowland at University of Kansas.

Smith, Tyrrel Wayne, 1961-

Advised by Rowland at University of California, Irvine.

Taube, Henry, 1915-2005

Advisor at University of Chicago.

Urey, Harold Clayton, 1893-1981

Advisor at University of Chicago.

Wingenter, Oliver William

Advised by Rowland at University of California, Irvine.

Additional

Brasseur, Guy

Cox, Tony (R. A.)

Farman, Joseph Charles

Gardiner, Brian

Harris, Neil R. P.

Solomon, Susan

Tuck, Adrian F.

Watson, R. T.

Institutions

Major Positions

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Researcher, Chemistry Department.

National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)

Foreign Secretary.

Princeton University. Department of Chemistry

Instructor.

University of California, Irvine

Professor of Chemistry; Chairman, Chemistry Department; and co-founder, Earth System Science Department.

University of Kansas

Assistant Professor, Chemistry Department.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

American Association for the Advancement of Science

President.

Ohio Wesleyan University

Received BSc Degrees in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics (1948).

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission

Funded much of Rowland's research from 1956-1994.

University of Chicago. Department of Chemistry

Received PhD in Chemistry (1952).

Resources

Archival Resources

Author

F. Sherwood Rowland papers, 1928-2012 (bulk 1960-2012).

University Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections.

University of California, Irvine.

P.O. Box 19557, Irvine, CA 92623-9557, USA

Oral history interview with F. Sherwood Rowland, 1 August 2007.