Lawrence Howland Knox

Lawrence Howland Knox was born on September 30, 1906, in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

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(By Bates College https://commons.wikimedia.org)

He was a trailblazer among African Americans, becoming one of the first to earn a PhD in chemistry, following in the footsteps of his esteemed eldest brother, William Jacob Knox Jr. Both brothers played pivotal roles as African American scientists and technicians on the Manhattan Project.Lawrence collaborated with Paul Doughty Bartlett to test organic mechanisms in chemistry, utilizing the bicyclo (2.2.1) heptane molecule, a significant bicyclic compound. His notable contributions also included publishing influential papers on aromatic hydrocarbons and validating Erick Hückel’s theory regarding these compounds.

Lawrence’s journey is rooted in a legacy of resilience; his grandfather, Elijah Knox, was born to a slave family in North Carolina in the 1820s. Through sheer determination, he became an accomplished carpenter and purchased his freedom in 1846 before settling in New Bedford. Elijah’s son, William Jacob, established a critical foundation for future generations through education. He married Estella, and they had five children: two daughters and three sons—William, Lawrence, and Clinton.