George W. Watt
Appearance
This article has not been added to any content categories. Please help out by adding categories to it so that it can be listed with similar articles. (February 2012) |
Dr. George W. Watt (January 8, 1911 - March 29, 1980) was an American chemist who participated in Manhattan Project responsible for isolating and purifying plutonium used in the first nuclear explosion on July 16, 1945. [1] [2]
Life
Watt was born in Bellaire, Ohio on January 8, 1911. He received his degrees at Ohio State University: BA (1931), MS (1933), and PhD (1935).[2] Watt joined the faculty of University of Texas, Austin in 1937, advanced through academic ranks and served as a professor from 1947 till 1978 when he attained an emeritus status.[2] During WWII 1943-45 years he was on leave from the university and worked on Manhattan Project as group leader and associate section chief of the Plutonium Project.[2]