Manson Benedict
Encyclopedia
Manson Benedict was an American nuclear engineer and a professor of nuclear engineering
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT). From 1958 to 1968, he was the chairman of the advisory committee to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
.
, Benedict received a B.S. from Cornell University
in chemistry, and a Ph.D. from MIT in physical chemistry
. It was at MIT where he met his wife Marjorie, who also received a Ph.D. in chemistry
.
Benedict was well-known for his pioneering role in nuclear Engineering. He developed the gaseous diffusion method for separating the isotopes of uranium and supervised the engineering and process development of the K-25
plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
, where fissionable material for the atomic bomb was produced. He received many awards for his work on the Manhattan Project
during World War II
, and for his later career as a scientist, educator, and public servant, which focused on nuclear power
and other peaceful uses of atomic energy. Among his awards were: the William H. Walker award in 1947, the Perkin Medal
in 1966, the Robert E. Wilson Award in 1968, the Enrico Fermi Award
in 1972, and the National Medal of Science
from President Gerald Ford in 1975. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
in 1952.
From 1958 to 1968, Benedict was a member and chair of the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
, appointed by Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy.
He established the Nuclear Engineering department at MIT in 1958 (prior to 1958 it was a program in Chemical Engineering started by Benedict in 1951), and was head of the department until 1971. He had a role in educating over 500 graduate students.
He died at his home in Naples, Florida
, aged 98. His wife Marjorie died in 1995 after 59 years of marriage. Two daughters, Marjorie Cohn of Arlington, Mass., and Mary Sauer of Naperville, Illinois, and Naples, Florida, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive him.
Nuclear engineering
Nuclear engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the application of the breakdown as well as the fusion of atomic nuclei and/or the application of other sub-atomic physics, based on the principles of nuclear physics...
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(MIT). From 1958 to 1968, he was the chairman of the advisory committee to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
United States Atomic Energy Commission
The United States Atomic Energy Commission was an agency of the United States government established after World War II by Congress to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. President Harry S...
.
Biography
Born in Lake Linden, MichiganLake Linden, Michigan
Lake Linden is a village in Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,081 at the 2000 census. The village is mostly within Schoolcraft Township, though a tiny portion lies in Torch Lake Township.-History:...
, Benedict received a B.S. from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in chemistry, and a Ph.D. from MIT in physical chemistry
Physical chemistry
Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of physical laws and concepts...
. It was at MIT where he met his wife Marjorie, who also received a Ph.D. in chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
.
Benedict was well-known for his pioneering role in nuclear Engineering. He developed the gaseous diffusion method for separating the isotopes of uranium and supervised the engineering and process development of the K-25
K-25
K-25 is a former uranium enrichment facility of the Manhattan Project which used the gaseous diffusion method. The plant is located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on the southwestern end of the Oak Ridge Reservation.-History:...
plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Oak Ridge is a city in Anderson and Roane counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee, about west of Knoxville. Oak Ridge's population was 27,387 at the 2000 census...
, where fissionable material for the atomic bomb was produced. He received many awards for his work on the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and for his later career as a scientist, educator, and public servant, which focused on nuclear power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
and other peaceful uses of atomic energy. Among his awards were: the William H. Walker award in 1947, the Perkin Medal
Perkin Medal
The Perkin Medal is an award given annually by the American section of the Society of Chemical Industry to a scientist residing in America for an "innovation in applied chemistry resulting in outstanding commercial development." It is considered the highest honor given in the US industrial chemical...
in 1966, the Robert E. Wilson Award in 1968, the Enrico Fermi Award
Enrico Fermi Award
The Enrico Fermi Award is an award honoring scientists of international stature for their lifetime achievement in the development, use, or production of energy. It is administered by the U.S. government's Department of Energy...
in 1972, and the National Medal of Science
National Medal of Science
The National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
from President Gerald Ford in 1975. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 1952.
From 1958 to 1968, Benedict was a member and chair of the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
United States Atomic Energy Commission
The United States Atomic Energy Commission was an agency of the United States government established after World War II by Congress to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. President Harry S...
, appointed by Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy.
He established the Nuclear Engineering department at MIT in 1958 (prior to 1958 it was a program in Chemical Engineering started by Benedict in 1951), and was head of the department until 1971. He had a role in educating over 500 graduate students.
He died at his home in Naples, Florida
Naples, Florida
Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of July 1, 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 21,653. Naples is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated total population of 315,839 on July 1, 2007...
, aged 98. His wife Marjorie died in 1995 after 59 years of marriage. Two daughters, Marjorie Cohn of Arlington, Mass., and Mary Sauer of Naperville, Illinois, and Naples, Florida, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive him.