Sheffield Scientific School circa 1898
At Yale Chemistry, we like to say we’ve been “bonding together since 1846,” with the start of a dedicated scientific school. However, teaching and research in chemistry began at Yale in 1802. Impressively, chemistry at Yale spans the entire life of the science since the Chemical Revolution of the late 18th century.
The history of chemistry at Yale is described below in a presentation and historical essay authored by our department historian, Professor J. Michael McBride, in addition to articles, including an alumni magazine feature article.
By J. Michael McBride
How Yale was changed by the 1918 bequest of J. W. Sterling: buildings, fellowships, professorships. Who was John Sterling? How Bertram Boltwood modified the architects’ design for decoration and function. How SCL has been expanded and modernized over the last half-century.
The occasion of the Tercentenary of Yale University in 2001 was marked, in part, by a written history of the sciences at the University. This historical essay is one of the chapters in that anthology. It covers the beginning of teaching and research through the development of chemistry at Yale. It includes descriptions of the types of chemical research practiced at Yale.
Four hundred Yale chemists gathered to celebrate the 101st anniversary of Sterling Chemistry Laboratory.
The department held the Celebration of Women in Chemistry virtual symposium in November of 2020 to commemorate the 50WomenAtYale150 anniversaries.
Featured in this 1923 magazine is an eight-page spread on the building dedication. It includes a description of the new lab, a tribute to John W. Sterling, a history of chemistry, and a listing of influential meeting papers. The dedication was of international importance as the American Chemical Society held its annual national meeting in conjunction with the opening of the building, and the papers presented led to the first two volumes of Chemical Reviews.
