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Moddie Taylor

Raquel Arvelo

-, -. “Moddie Taylor.” Atomic Heritage Foundation, 3 Mar. 1912, www.atomicheritage.org/profile/moddie-taylor.

Background

  • Moddie Taylor was an African American chemist who specialized in Rare Earth Metals.
  • He was born in Nymph, Alabama on 1912 and later moved to St. Louis.
  • Growing up, he faced segregation and systematic racism, yet still managed to excel in his studies at Lincoln University where he majored in chemistry and graduated valedictorian and summa cum laude.
  • After graduating, Moddie Taylor worked as an instructor and later on as an assistant professor at Lincoln University.
  • During this time, he was enrolled in the University of Chicago graduate program in chemistry where he obtained an M.S on 1939 and a Ph.D. on 1943.
  • On 1945, he was recruited to work in the Manhattan Project, a top-secret project to create an atomic bomb during WWII.
  • After the project had ended, Taylor returned to Lincoln University for 2 years before taking on the job of a professor at Howard University.
  • During the next few years before his death, he received a grant from the American Academy of Arts and Science, wrote a textbook, served as the Chair of Howard's University Chemistry, was given the Honor Scroll from the National Institute of Chemists and was given a Certificate of Merit from Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson.

Did You Know?

Did you know Moddie Taylor was part of multiple leading scientific societies. These included the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi, and Beta Kappa Chi.

Contributions to Science

Moddie Taylor was one of the scientists working on the Manhattan Project during 1944. The Manhattan Project was a classified effort to create an atomic bomb during WWII. His job there was as an associate chemist who analyzed Rare Earth Metals and their properties. After working on the project until the end of the war, Taylor wrote a top-class textbook, which he named "First Principles of Chemistry". This textbook is what earned him the grant and is used by universities all around the United States, even nowadays.

Work's Influence

During his time as a professor, after his work on the project was done, Moddie Taylor was ranked as 1 of the 6 best college professors in the country by the Manufacturing Chemists Association. Amongst this, he was also rewarded many awards such as the Honor Scroll and a Certificate of Merit. His whole career is what entered him into the project and his work on the project is what lead to the creation of his textbook. He spent the rest of years up until his death teaching and passing on his knowledge to students.

Bibliography

  • Lester, Paul. “Black History Month: 5 Facts About Dr. Moddie Taylor.” Energy.gov, 7 Feb. 2019, www.energy.gov/articles/black-history-month-5-facts-about-dr-moddie-taylor#:~:text=Moddie%20Taylor%20(1912%2D1976),University%20of%20Chicago's%20Met%20Lab.

  • Absher, A. “Moddie Daniel Taylor (1912-1976) .” Black Past, 25 July 2011, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/taylor-moddie-d-1912-1976/.

  • -, -. “Moddie Taylor.” Atomic Heritage Foundation, 0AD, www.atomicheritage.org/profile/moddie-taylor.
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