In 1947, the Priestley Medal was awarded to Warren K. Lewis by the American Chemical Society “to recognize distinguished services to chemistry,” the Society’s most prestigious award.

Lewis, the first chemical engineer to receive the Priestley Medal, was a major force in the development of chemical engineering as a discipline as well as a formidable teacher. Often referred to as the father of modern chemical engineering, he was, when teaching, more like a drill sergeant than a father. Despite his demeanor—in fact perhaps because of it—he was much loved by his students.

Lewis also made important contributions to the Manhattan Project, working with James B. Conant (1944 Priestley Medalist) and George Kistiakowski (1972 Priestley Medalist) in assessing the military value of uranium. He was also a writer and his book “Principles of Chemical Engineering,” published in 1923, was a milestone of progress. But it is as a teacher that Lewis is most remembered.