Venable, F. P. (Francis Preston), 1856-1934

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Francis P. Venable, son of Charles Scott Venable, aid-de-camp to General Robert E. Lee, 1862-1865, and professor of mathematics, University of Virginia, 1865-1896, was born 17 November 1856 in Farmville, Virginia. In 1893 Venable identified calcium carbide, thereby laying the foundation for the success of the Union Carbide Corporation--but was never financially rewarded for this discoverry. From 1900-1914 he served as president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1930 Venable retired from teaching and four years later on 17 March 1934, Venable died.

From the description of F. P. Venable papers, 1838-1946. WorldCat record id: 14767712

President of the University of North Carolina.

From the description of Letters to Armistead Mason Dobie [manuscript], 1912 June 5, October 3, October 12. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647842099

  • 1856: F.P. Venable born November 17, in Farmville, Virginia, son of Charles Scott Venable, aid-de-camp to General Robert E. Lee, 1862-1865, and professor of mathematics, University of Virginia, 1865-1896.
  • 1877: Graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in Chemistry; taught high school in New Orleans after graduation.
  • 1879: Earned an MA degree in Chemistry, University of Virginia.
  • 1880: Offered chair in chemistry at the University of North Carolina.
  • 1881: Earned Ph.D. degree in chemistry, University of Gottigen, Germany; elected fellow of the Chemical Society in London.
  • 1883: Co-founder and first president of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society; published A Course in Qualitative Chemical Analysis.
  • 1884: Married Sallie Charlton Manning, daughter of University of North Carolina law professor John Manning. They had five children.
  • 1889: Attended lectures for four months at the University of Berlin.
  • 1893: Occupied the first endowed chair at the University of North Carolina, the Mary Ann Smith Professorship; identified calcium carbide, thereby laying the foundation for the success of the Union Carbide Corporation--but never financially rewarded for this discovery.
  • 1894: Published A Short History of Chemistry.
  • 1896: Published The Development of the Periodic Law.
  • 1898: Published Inorganic Chemistry.
  • 1899: Elected vice-president of the chemistry section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
  • 1900: Appointed president of the University of North Carolina.
  • 1903: Nominated president of the Southern Educational Association.
  • 1904: Co-authored The Study of the Atom.
  • 1905: Elected president of the American Chemical Society.
  • 1909: Served as president of the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges.
  • 1914: Resigned as president of the University of North Carolina, and returned to teaching and research.
  • 1917: Co-authored A Brief Account of Radio-activity.
  • 1918: Appointed Kenan Professor.
  • 1922: Published Zirconium and its Compounds.
  • 1925: Dedication of the new chemistry building, Venable Hall, at the University of North Carolina.
  • 1930: Retired from teaching.
  • 1934: Died March 17.

From the guide to the F.P. Venable Papers, 1838-1946, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Carrington, Eliza Jaquelin Ambler, fl. 1796-1823,. Papers of the McDowell family, 1700, 1831-1917. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf McIver, Charles Duncan, 1860-1906. Chancellor Charles Duncan McIver records, 1855-1906. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
referencedIn General Faculty and Faculty Council of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Records, 1799-2011 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. University Archives and Records Service
creatorOf Venable, F. P. (Francis Preston), 1856-1934. Letters to Armistead Mason Dobie [manuscript], 1912 June 5, October 3, October 12. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Venable, F. P. (Francis Preston), 1856-1934. Correspondence with Edgar Fahs Smith, 1899-1928. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Letters sent to Walter Hines Page from various correspondents, English period, 1876-1937. Houghton Library
referencedIn Allen, A. T. (Arch Turner), b. 1875. A. T. Allen papers, 1894-1935 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf F.P. Venable Papers, 1838-1946 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
referencedIn Arthur Twining Hadley, president of Yale University, records, 1899-1921 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Chapel Hill (N.C.) weather records, 1854-1862; 1879-1882 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Venable, F. P. (Francis Preston), 1856-1934. F. P. Venable papers, 1838-1946. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf University of Virginia. Correspondence regarding choice of first president, proposed merger of Medical School with Medical College of Virginia, and Co-ordinate College for women [manuscript] 1902-1916. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Venable, Charles S. (Charles Scott), 1827-1900. Charles S. Venable papers, 1862-1894 (1863-1864) [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Zoeller, Edward Victor, 1857-1944. Edward Victor Zoeller papers, 1885-1934 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Barclay, Julius Preston, 1924-. Photograph album chiefly of the Minor, Southall and Venable families of Charlottesville, Va., ca. 1860-1900. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Bingham, Robert Worth, 1871-1937. Robert Worth Bingham : papers, 1876-1982 (bulk 1899-1910). The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf [F.P. Venable, biographical materials] University of Wisconsin - Madison, General Library System
referencedIn Herty, Charles H. (Charles Holmes), 1867-1938. Charles H. Herty papers, 1884-1938. Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Europe
North Carolina--Chapel Hill
Virginia--Charlottesville
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
United States
Tennessee
Subject
Acetylene
Calcium carbide
Chemistry, Inorganic
Chemists
Families
Families
Hazing
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Person

Birth 1856-11-17

Death 1934-03-17

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