Introduction
Edward Charles Howard (12 June 1875 – 4 March 1952) was an English chemist and educator who played a pivotal role in the development of early polymer science in Britain. His research on long-chain organic compounds laid foundational principles for later advances in synthetic plastics and rubber. Howard also held significant administrative positions in several British universities and contributed to scientific policy during the interwar period. His career spanned the late Victorian era, World War I, the interwar years, and the early post‑war era, reflecting the rapid industrial and scientific transformations of his time.
Early Life and Education
Family Background
Howard was born in the parish of St. Michael's, Birmingham, into a family of modest means. His father, Thomas Howard, worked as a clerk in a local bank, while his mother, Mary Elizabeth (née Clark), was a homemaker with a keen interest in gardening. The family was devout Anglican, attending services at the parish church regularly, which fostered in Howard an early appreciation for discipline and learning.
Primary and Secondary Education
Howard attended the Birmingham Grammar School, where he excelled in mathematics and natural sciences. Teachers noted his aptitude for laboratory work and his ability to articulate complex concepts in clear language. In 1893, he won a scholarship to study at the University of Oxford, entering Christ Church as a commoner in the natural science program.
University Studies
At Oxford, Howard studied under Professor Henry Smith, a leading chemist known for his work on organic reaction mechanisms. Howard’s undergraduate research focused on the synthesis of simple aromatic compounds, culminating in a senior thesis that explored substitution reactions in benzene derivatives. He graduated with first‑class honors in 1898, receiving the Chancellor’s Medal for outstanding scientific work.
Academic Career
Early Post‑Graduation Positions
Following his graduation, Howard accepted a research fellowship at the University College, London (UCL). His early work at UCL involved investigations into the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons, a subject of growing importance for the nascent petroleum industry. His findings were published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society in 1901, and he quickly established himself as a promising young chemist.
Professorship at the University of Manchester
In 1904, Howard was appointed Lecturer in Organic Chemistry at the Victoria University of Manchester. Two years later, in 1906, he was promoted to Reader in Organic Chemistry. During his tenure at Manchester, Howard expanded his research focus to include polymerization reactions, particularly those involving long-chain alkanes and the emerging field of synthetic rubber.
Chair in Chemical Engineering
In 1912, Howard moved to the University of Leeds to accept the newly created Chair in Chemical Engineering. The position reflected the university’s ambition to develop a comprehensive engineering curriculum. Howard’s responsibilities included overseeing laboratory instruction, supervising graduate students, and directing research on industrial chemical processes. His leadership helped establish Leeds as a centre for applied chemistry during the early 20th century.
Contributions to Polymer Chemistry
Early Polymer Research
Howard’s interest in polymer chemistry was sparked by the commercial potential of synthetic materials. He began systematic studies on the polymerization of polyethylene, a process that had recently been discovered by Friedrich Wöhler in 1907. Howard’s experimental approach involved controlled addition of catalysts and precise temperature regulation, leading to the first reproducible synthesis of polyethylene in the United Kingdom.
Development of the Howard–Roth Process
In collaboration with his colleague, Dr. James Roth, Howard devised an improved catalytic method for the polymerization of ethylene, known as the Howard–Roth Process. The method utilized a mixture of zinc chloride and sulfuric acid as a catalyst system, producing polyethylene with a narrower molecular weight distribution than existing processes. This advancement increased the material’s mechanical strength and made it more suitable for industrial applications such as packaging and insulation.
Work on Synthetic Rubber
During World War I, the British government urgently required synthetic rubber for military supplies. Howard directed a research team at Leeds that investigated the polymerization of butadiene and styrene. Their experiments resulted in a stable synthetic rubber with high resilience, contributing to the production of tires for military vehicles and aircraft. The government awarded Howard a commendation for his contributions to national defense.
The Howard Index of Polymerization
In 1925, Howard published a seminal paper introducing the “Howard Index,” a quantitative measure of polymerization efficiency based on the ratio of monomer to polymer yield and the average molecular weight of the polymer produced. The Howard Index became a standard tool in polymer science laboratories worldwide, providing a benchmark for comparing different catalytic systems.
Military Service and Wartime Contributions
World War I Service
At the outbreak of World War I, Howard enlisted in the Royal Engineers as a Chemical Officer. His expertise in industrial chemistry was quickly recognized, and he was assigned to the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich. Howard oversaw the synthesis of explosive compounds, such as TNT and picric acid, ensuring safe production protocols and high purity standards. His efforts reduced the incidence of accidental detonations by 30% during his tenure.
Post‑War Advisory Role
After the war, Howard served as an advisor to the Ministry of Munitions, where he helped develop safer manufacturing practices for explosive materials. He also contributed to the establishment of the British Munitions Research Board, a body that coordinated research efforts across universities and industry to improve production efficiency and safety.
Later Life and Legacy
Retirement and Continued Research
Howard retired from his professorship at Leeds in 1935, citing the need to devote more time to research and mentorship. Even after retirement, he continued to collaborate with young scientists and supervised graduate students in the polymer laboratory. He published several papers during this period, focusing on the environmental impacts of synthetic polymers and the early stages of polymer recycling.
Honours and Recognitions
Howard received numerous honours throughout his career. In 1920, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, reflecting his significant contributions to chemistry. The following year, he was awarded the Royal Society’s Royal Medal for his pioneering work on polymerization. In 1933, he received the Davy Medal for his influential research on the properties of synthetic rubber.
Impact on Chemical Education
Beyond his research, Howard was an advocate for practical chemistry education. He authored the textbook “Principles of Industrial Chemistry” (first published in 1918), which became a standard reference in university courses. The book emphasized the integration of laboratory work with theoretical learning, a pedagogical approach that influenced chemistry curricula across the United Kingdom.
Final Years and Death
Howard spent his final years in a cottage near the Leeds suburbs, where he maintained a small laboratory for personal research. He passed away on 4 March 1952, at the age of 76. His funeral was attended by a wide range of colleagues, students, and members of the scientific community, underscoring the breadth of his influence.
Selected Works
- Howard, E. C. (1901). “Thermal Decomposition of Hydrocarbons.” Proceedings of the Royal Society, 52: 213–228.
- Howard, E. C. (1906). “Polymerization of Ethylene Using Zinc Chloride Catalysts.” Journal of Industrial Chemistry, 3: 145–159.
- Howard, E. C., & Roth, J. (1914). “Improved Process for Polyethylene Production.” British Chemical Journal, 8: 67–82.
- Howard, E. C. (1925). “The Howard Index of Polymerization Efficiency.” Polymer Science Review, 12: 112–130.
- Howard, E. C. (1938). “Environmental Considerations in Polymer Manufacture.” Environmental Chemistry Letters, 1: 45–58.
- Howard, E. C. (1942). “Principles of Industrial Chemistry.” 2nd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Honours and Awards
- Fellow of the Royal Society (1920)
- Royal Medal, Royal Society (1921)
- Davy Medal, Royal Society (1933)
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to wartime chemistry (1919)
Personal Life
Family
Howard married Elizabeth Mary (née Whitfield) in 1900. The couple had two daughters, Margaret (born 1902) and Eleanor (born 1905). Both daughters pursued careers in science, with Margaret becoming a noted biochemist and Eleanor a distinguished physicist. Howard maintained a close relationship with his family, often discussing scientific topics at dinner tables.
Hobbies and Interests
In his leisure time, Howard enjoyed gardening, reflecting the influence of his mother’s passion. He also collected early scientific instruments, including a 19th‑century gas microscope and a brass gasometer, which he displayed in his home laboratory. Howard was an avid reader of scientific journals and literary works, particularly those by Charles Darwin and Thomas Hardy.
Legacy in Modern Science
Howard’s early work on polymerization laid the groundwork for the modern plastics industry. The Howard–Roth Process, though superseded by more efficient catalysts, demonstrated the feasibility of large‑scale polyethylene production in the United Kingdom. Today, the principles he articulated in the Howard Index are taught in polymer science courses worldwide. In addition, his emphasis on integrating laboratory experience with theoretical instruction remains a cornerstone of contemporary chemical education.
Several institutions have honoured Howard’s contributions. The University of Leeds named its Polymer Research Laboratory the “Howard Building” in 1960. In 1995, a plaque commemorating his service at the Royal Arsenal was installed in Woolwich. A scholarship fund established in his name continues to support young scientists in the field of industrial chemistry.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!