Continuing the renaissance in inorganic chemistry: Drago's Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry

HIST 10

Charles Edwin Webster, cewebstr@memphis.edu, Department of Chemistry, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152-3550
In the 1950's and 1960's Russell S. Drago and his colleagues at the University of Illinois were among the top in the world in chemistry, and they created a powerhouse in Inorganic chemistry. In 1965, Drago authored a classic text, Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry. He made use of numerous examples in the early days of the application of physical methods to inorganic chemistry. His own research inspired many of the lucid explanations, and his passion for knowledge in chemistry is demonstrated in every topic. His text was the first of its kind in this expanding area; future texts on the subject imitated his approach to learning using application of the methods to specific examples. The first edition was written at a time when no other text offered in one bound volume so much. Drago's text sets a high standard of excellence with historical importance, which this presentation will highlight.