University of Minnesota. Dept. of Chemistry.

Chemistry was first taught at the University of Minnesota when Edward Twining, a member of the first University faculty, was appointed professor of chemistry and French in 1869 in the Preparatory Department. Additional chemistry faculty were added when James Dodge was appointed professor of chemistry in 1880 and George B. Frankforter in 1893.

The first four year course of study in chemistry was offered in 1891 when the College of Engineering, Metallurgy and the Mechanical Arts was established. Dr. Frankforter was named director of the laboratory in 1895.

The School of Chemistry was established in 1896 as the school of technical and applied chemistry, with a single course in analytical chemistry within the College of Science, Literature and the Arts. In 1903, the School was made an independent unit with George B. Frankforter as dean.

In 1935, the Institute of Technology was established, comprising the College of Engineering and Architecture, the School of Chemistry and the School of Mines and Metallurgy. In 1926, Samuel C. Lind served in a newly created position as director of chemistry until 1935 when he became dean of the Institute of Technology. He served as dean until 1947.

In 1949, the School of Chemistry was reorganized. Two departments within the school were established, the department of chemistry including the divisions of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, and the department of chemical engineering. Lloyd H. Reyerson, former dean of the Institute of Technology (1945-1954) was the first chair of the department of chemistry.

The School of Chemistry was originally located in the Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics. In 1902, the building was dedicated exclusively to chemistry and later called Nicholson Hall. In 1914, a new chemistry building was built and in 1971 it was renamed Smith Hall for Lee I. Smith who served as chair of the Division of Organic Chemistry from 1932-1958.

A chemistry annex was built next to Smith Hall in 1971 and named Kolthoff Hall in honor of Isaac M. Kolthoff, chair of the Division of Analytical Chemistry from 1930-1962.

From the guide to the Department of Chemistry papers, 1880-1980, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])