In 1948, the American Chemical Society awarded the Priestley Medal to Edward R. Weidlein “to recognize distinguished services to chemistry,” the Society’s most prestigious award.

Weidlein was a chemist and later Director, Chair, and President at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. He served as president of the American Chemical Society in 1937 and of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. His awards included the Priestley Medal in 1948 and the AIChE Founders Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Chemical Engineering in 1966.

He wrote many articles on industrial research and two popular books with William Hamor, Science in Action and Glances at Industrial Research. Weidlein was very active in professional societies holding membership in among others the American Chemical Society (President 1937), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (President), the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (Fellow), and Sigma Xi.