Craig, William M 1973-03-05

Dr. William Craig recalls his education, particularly his graduate studies and doctoral research at Harvard University, various professors with whom he worked, and early teaching positions he held. He also recounts his teaching career at Texas Tech University and the development of its Chemistry Department.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Dr. William M. Craig

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: March 5, 1973

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Beth Schneider

Length: 3 hours, 55 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Recollections of President Clifford B. Jones, Spectrograph obtained for Chemistry Department, Dr. C. W. Seibel received first honorary degree from Tech, Editor of chemical journal who visited Tech recalled, Romance of friends Dr. Thornton Read and Roxie Clark at University of Texas described

Tape 1, Side 2: Dr. C. W. Seibel discussed, Craig's doctoral work at Harvard related, Worked with Dr. Theodore W. Richards, Nobel Prize winner, Experiments with arsenic and gallium reviewed, Hospitalized for arsenic poisoning

Tape 2, Side 1: Reminiscences of Dr. Thornton Read, former head of Tech's, Chemistry Department, Mentions Dr. E. P. Schoch at the University of Texas, Recollections of graduate studies at Harvard, Illness with pneumonia at age 15 described, Education recalled, Skipped two elementary grades, Attended Southwestern University at Georgetown

Tape 2, Side 2: Review of education (continued), Graduate studies at University of Chicago, Taught at Hendricks College, Conway, Arkansas, Was high school teacher in Wichita Falls for three years, Graduate studies at the University of Chicago discussed again, Professor named Milliken recalled, Researched gallium at Harvard, Other studies on gallium described

Tape 3, Side 1: Recollections of graduate studies at Harvard, Anecdote about Mrs. Richards, professor's wife, David McCord recalled, Commencement exercises described, Worked for the Department of Interior, Meeting with Professor Frankfurter recalled, Contracted arsenic poisoning at Harvard

Tape 3, Side 2: Graduate research at Harvard again related, Reminiscences of Dr. Richards, Story of Marie Curie told, Experiments in gallium described, Began teaching at Texas Tech in 1926, Dr. Horn requested he come, Taught freshman chemistry

Tape 4, Side 1: Teaching at Texas Tech recalled, Explains method of teaching freshman chemistry, Recommended Dr. R. C. Goodwin as chairman of Chemistry Department, Took doctoral examinations at Tech, Exercise program outlined, Reminiscences of Dr. William L. Ray

Tape 4, Side 2: Career at Texas Tech (continued), Early years of the Chemistry Department described, Establishment of Rice Institute noted, Dr. Richards of Harvard was instrumental, Reminiscences of Dr. Gerald Wendt, Story of the chemical symbols on the Tech Chemistry Building narrated, Early Chemistry Department described, Graduate student Roberts recalled, More information on graduate research at Harvard

Range Dates: 1926-1973

Bulk Dates: 1926-1973

Access Information

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