James Bryant Conant Biography

(born March 26, 1893, Dorchester, Mass., U.S.—died Feb. 11, 1978, Hanover, N.H.) U.S. educator and scientist, president of Harvard University (1933–53). Conant received a Ph.D. (1916) from Harvard and taught chemistry there until he was elected its president in 1933. He led the university to broaden the social and geographic makeup of its student body. During World War II he was a central figure in organizing American science, including the development of the atomic bomb. In 1953 he was appointed U.S. high commissioner for West Germany, and in 1955 he was appointed ambassador. His publications include chemistry textbooks, works on science for the lay reader, and books on educational policy.

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