Nathaniel Howell Furman: The Analytical Chemist of the Manhattan Project
Nathaniel Howell Furman (1892–1965) was a distinguished American professor of analytical chemistry whose expertise in chemical separation played a critical role in one of the most significant scientific endeavors of the 20th century. As a key member of the Manhattan Project, Furman contributed to the development of processes essential for isolating the materials required to create the first atomic bombs.
Key Facts
- Primary Contribution: Developed the electrochemical uranium separation process and an ether extraction process for uranium oxide.
- Academic Affiliation: Spent over 40 years at Princeton University, eventually serving as the Russell Wellman Moore Professor of Chemistry.
- Leadership: Served as the President of the American Chemical Society in 1951.
- Major Awards: First recipient of the Fisher Award for analytical chemistry (1948) and a Palladium Medalist (1953).
Academic Foundation and Early Career
Born in 1892 in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, Furman demonstrated academic excellence from a young age. He graduated from the Lawrenceville School in 1909, receiving the Master's Prize. He continued his education at Princeton University, where he earned Phi Beta Kappa honors upon his graduation in 1913, followed by an M.S. in 1915 and a Ph.D. in 1917.
During World War I, Furman applied his scientific knowledge to national defense by serving in the Army Chemical Warfare Service. Following the war, he returned to Princeton in 1919 as an assistant professor. His dedication to the field led to his promotion and tenure in 1937, and he concluded his academic career in 1960 as the Russell Wellman Moore Professor of Chemistry.
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Contributions to the Manhattan Project
During World War II, Furman was recruited for the secret effort to develop atomic weapons. He focused on the ether extraction process to isolate uranium oxide, a vital precursor to the fissile material used in the first atomic bombs, as detailed in the Smyth report.
His work was so sensitive that he and other prominent Princeton faculty—including Albert Einstein, John Archibald Wheeler, Henry DeWolf Smyth, and Hugh Stott Taylor—were described by the Princeton Bulletin as having "disappeared to Shangri-La" to work in secrecy. Beyond the wartime effort, Furman continued to support the U.S. government as a special consultant to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and an advisor to the post-war Office of Scientific Research and Development.
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Literary Contributions and Professional Honors
Furman was not only a researcher but also a pioneer in chemical education. In 1933, he co-authored Elementary Quantitative Analysis, which became one of the first undergraduate textbooks in the field of analytical chemistry. Later, in 1950, he co-wrote Analytical Chemistry of the Manhattan Project, documenting the scientific processes used during the war.
His professional achievements were recognized with numerous prestigious awards throughout his career:
| Year | Award/Honor | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1916-1917 | Charlotte Elizabeth Procter Fellowship | Princeton University |
| 1948 | Fisher Award for Analytical Chemistry | First Recipient |
| 1949 | Class of 1913 Distinguished Service Award | Princeton University |
| 1951 | President | American Chemical Society |
| 1953 | Palladium Medalist | Electrochemical Society |
Personal Life
A long-time resident of Princeton, New Jersey, Furman balanced his rigorous scientific career with a love for the outdoors. He owned a summer cottage in Charlotte, Vermont, on Lake Champlain, where he enjoyed golf and sailboat racing. He and his wife, Hannah S. Hendrickson, had a son and a daughter, the latter of whom followed in her father's footsteps to become a chemist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Nathaniel Howell Furman's main contribution to the Manhattan Project?
Furman helped develop the electrochemical uranium separation process and an ether extraction process used to extract uranium oxide, which was a necessary precursor for the fissile material used in the first atomic bombs.
Which academic institution was Furman associated with for most of his career?
Furman was associated with Princeton University for 41 years, where he earned his degrees and eventually served as the Russell Wellman Moore Professor of Chemistry.
Did Furman publish any textbooks?
Yes, he co-wrote Elementary Quantitative Analysis in 1933, one of the first undergraduate textbooks for analytical chemistry, and Analytical Chemistry of the Manhattan Project in 1950.
What professional leadership roles did he hold?
Furman served as the President of the American Chemical Society in 1951.
What was the "Shangri-La" reference in the Princeton Bulletin?
It was a metaphorical term used to describe the secret disappearance of several Princeton faculty members, including Furman and Albert Einstein, who left their normal duties to work secretly on the atomic bomb during World War II.