Henry Eyring (chemist)

Henry Eyring
Henry Eyring in 1951
Born(1901-02-20)February 20, 1901
DiedDecember 26, 1981(1981-12-26) (aged 80)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Arizona
University of California, Berkeley
Known forTransition state theory
Spouse(s)Mildred Bennion; Winifred Brennan
Children3, including Henry B. Eyring
AwardsWolf Prize in Chemistry (1980)
Priestley Medal (1975)
Elliott Cresson Medal (1969)
Irving Langmuir Award (1968)
National Medal of Science (1966)
Peter Debye Award (1964)
William H. Nichols Medal (1951)
Newcomb Cleveland Prize (1932)
Scientific career
FieldsChemistry
InstitutionsPrinceton University
University of Utah
Doctoral studentsKeith J. Laidler
J O Hirschfelder
Walter Kauzmann
John Calvin Giddings
Other notable studentsJohn L. Magee

Henry Eyring (February 20, 1901 – December 26, 1981) was a Mexico-born United States theoretical chemist whose primary contribution was in the study of chemical reaction rates and intermediates. Eyring developed the Absolute Rate Theory or Transition state theory of chemical reactions, connecting the fields of chemistry and physics through atomic theory, quantum theory, and statistical mechanics.[1]

  1. ^ Hettema, Hinne (2012). "The Unity of Chemistry and Physics: Absolute Reaction Rate Theory". Hyle: International Journal for Philosophy of Chemistry. 18 (2): 145–173. Retrieved 15 March 2023.