Editors' Column
Charles Norwood Reilley March 2, 1925-December 3 1 , 1981 Charlie Reilley was the friend, teacher, student, and colleague of almost everyone who took the trouble to get to know him. He was a scientist of unlimited imagination. Most of all he was a generous human being who believed in always giving more than he took. His scientific achievements were the best known because the professional literature serves as a monument to all who contribute to it. But there was a personal side of Charles that was as original and shone as brightly as his scientific work to those who were fortunate enough to know him. A scientific discussion with Charles Reilley was always a stimulating experience. He was both student and teacher at the same time. If you talked of science or any other subject with him, you both learned. It was his rare talent to make you wiser than you knew you were and to educate you at the same time. He shared this personal resource with every individual who chose to partake of it. Reilley not only saw the beauty of science with his special eye, but participated in it to the fullest extent. In his 30-year career he contributed, often as a leader, in almost every new and important area of analytical chemistry. Electrochemistry, chromatography, differential kinetic analysis, complexation chemistry, NMR spectroscopy, surface analysis, and laboratory automation all bear his mark. His students and colleagues span the globe and multiply his accomplishments. While helping to clean out his study and office I became aware of the many partnerships he had had with other chemists both here and abroad. Even though our offices were only 100 ft apart, he had collaborations I never knew about with people he had been
J Honors and Awards —Charles N. Reilley Merck Fellowship In Analytical Chemistry. 1951: Simon P. Guggenheim Fellow. 1962: Kenan Professorship. 1963: American Chemical Society Fisher Award in Analytical Chemistry. 1965: Herty Medal. 1968: Stone Award. 1971; ANACHEM Award in Analytical Chemistry. 1972: Manufacturing Chemists Association College Teacher Award. 1975: National Academy of Sciences. 1977: Koithoff Award in Analytical Chemistry. 1979: Baker Lectureship. 1979.
426 A · ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY. VOL. 54. NO. 3. MARCH 1982
working with and helping over the years. Several chemical companies considered him the finest of industrial consultants. Charles Reilley could have been any kind of scientist he wished and, once established, could have gone anywhere to pursue his research. He chose to be an analytical chemist at a time when analytical chemistry was a less-thandistinguished field and to work at North Carolina when this was a lesst lian distinguished chemistry department. If both analytical chemistry and North Carolina have changed their images dramatically (and I believe they have) one very important reason was the influence of this man. When Charlie Reilley was asked. "What is analytical chemistry?" he answered, "Analytical chemistry is what analytical chemists do." When analytical chemistry was at a low ebb. Reilley was foremost among chemists to publish and talk about excellent new science in the area. He also guided North Carolina in hiring outstanding young staff in all areas and in revising a classical undergraduate curriculum into an innovative pacesetter that became a leader in producing baccalaureate chemists. Many other institutions tried to entice Charlie Reilley to join their faculties, but he had an intense loyalty to the state and to its University. He believed that each man should build his own establishment and not wait for someone else to come along and give it to him. Many honors came to him (see list at left), and they all came the right way. Never the politician, never the self-promoter, he did his work and went his way: others discovered his work, profited from that work and his personal interactions, and recognized (continued on page 431 A )
Editors'Column
Find it FAST in the LabGuide The annual Labguide is the definitive directory to scientific instruments, equipment, chemicals, services, books, trade names and manufacturers. It leads all others in editorial pages, advertising pages, and in reader usage. And, with 75,000 Labguides in service, virtually every laboratory has one or more copies within easy reach. The Labguide is where more than 170 suppliers say, "Here we are. Compare our products with those of our competitors." For example, you'll find extensive product line ads in the current Labguide from the following firms:
Product Ads From:
Labguide Page No.
145 ALLTECH.... CURTIN MATHESON . . . . 35 9 NICOLET 69 VARIAN
The Labguide is your true onestop buying source for scientific products.
him for it. When I had the thrill of telling him he had been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (the only analytical chemist other than Kolthoff ever to be so recognized) he said, "Gee, I never thought that might happen. Excuse me, I've got a class to meet." I never heard him mention the academy again. But he wasn't aloof, he was truly humble. When we cleaned up his study we found his "Academy Notebook," a carefully organized and maintained document that included every letter of congratulations, memo, newspaper clipping, and other item about his selection. He was very proud of that recognition but he kept it to himself. Charles Reilley was a southern gentlemen with all that that implies. Charles was one of four children raised in Charlotte, N.C., by a public school teacher widowed by an illness her husband contracted in the First World War. Charles became fascinated with radio and electrical things when he was still in grammar school. Older brother Gene recalled that when Charlie was about eight he wired the doorbell so it would turn on the phonograph. "Momma was so mad we both had to spend the whole night on the roof to avoid a whipping." Gene also says that when Charlie got to high school he found out about science, and the beauty of science so attracted him that he never could turn his eyes away again. In his private life Charles was "Uncle Charlie" to a dozen nieces and nephews. Many remember the best moments of their childhoods as the times when he came to visit or when they went to see him. Like the faithful son he was, he cared for his aging mother the last 15 years of his life. Mrs. Reilley, now 88, says that when Charles came along, she knew her work was done. She had finally produced a prodigy. It's hard to realize that Reilley was only 56 at the time of his death, because his influence has been so great in chemistry for so long. It was fitting that he followed Kolthoff into the academy, because clearly he was the next great analytical chemist after Kolthoff. His ideas and philosophy, his sharing with students and colleagues and, most of all, his manner are things that won't be forgotten quickly. We'll miss you, Charlie. But we know we're better for having known you and worked with you. You surely left behind much more than you took. Thomas Isenhour Department of Chemistry University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
REAGENTGRADE SOLVENTS Users of Corco chromatographic, electronic and spectrophometric reagentgrade solvents know they can count on Corco for highest quality. Reliability. And delivery, in pints, gallons, five-gallons, or drums. At Corco, we've been specialists in reagent-grade solvents since 1953— and have built our reputation on meeting the requirements and specifications of our customers, ACS and ASTM. Corco can also provide reagentgrade acids, bases, and specialty chemicals. Write or call regarding your specific solvent requirements and our complete solvent listing in Bulletin 10. Or circle the number.
CORCO CHEMICAL CORPORATION Manufacturers of Reagent & Electronic Chemicals Tyburn Road & Cedar Lane · Fairless Hills, Pa. 19030 (215) 295-5006 CIRCLE 32 ON READER SERVICE CARD
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 54, NO. 3, MARCH 1982 · 431 A
