Reese, Charles L. (Charles Lee), 1862-1940

Charles L. Reese was a research chemist who received his Ph.D. from the University of Heidelberg in 1886. After teaching, he developed a second career in industrial research with the New Jersey Zinc Company in 1900. In 1902 he became chief chemist at the Repauno Works of the Eastern Dynamite Company, controlled by the du Pont interests.

From the description of Laboratory notebooks, 1900-1927. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122392308

Charles Lee Reese, Sr., was born in 1862 and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1884. He pursued his graduate work in Germany at the Universities of Göttingen and Heidelberg, taking his doctoral degree from the latter institution in 1886. Until 1900 he taught chemistry in several American schools, and then began his career in industrial research. In 1902 he began his long association with E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company as chief chemist of the Eastern Dynamite Company at Repauno, N.J. Soon thereafter, he established the Eastern Laboratory, one of the pioneer facilities of its kind in America.

In 1906 Reese assumed charge of the Chemical Division of the High Explosives Operating Department. In 1911 all chemical operations were consolidated into a single Chemical Department with Reese as director. Under his direction Du Pont's research and development program grew rapidly, employing 1200 chemists in Reese's lab by 1917. The research program had expanded from its original focus on explosives into paints, dyes, artificial leathers and plastics.

From the description of Papers, 1831-1947 (bulk 1880-1936). (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122555328