On May 15, 1995, the American Chemical Society announced Ernest L. Eliel as the 1996 Priestley Medal awardee ‘for his many and diverse contributions to chemistry. The Priestley Medal is the American Chemical Society’s highest award.

Eliel’s career spanned five decades as he conducted pioneering research in organic chemistry. His 1962 textbook, “Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds,” reinvigorated the field of stereochemistry and introduced several generations of chemists to this crucial discipline.