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

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.)