Patterson-Crane Award
The Columbus and Dayton, Ohio Sections of the American Chemical Society sponsor the Patterson-Crane Award for contributions to chemical information. It is international in scope and given in honor of two outstanding members of the Sections – Austin M. Patterson (1876-1956) and E.J. Crane (1889-1966).
About This Award
The Austin M. Patterson Award was established in 1949 by the Dayton Section to acknowledge meritorious contributions in the field of chemical literature and especially documentation of chemistry. Dr. Patterson, the first recipient of the biennial award, was recognized for his leadership in organic chemical nomenclature and his work as editor of Chemical Abstracts. There were 13 additional recipients of this award, including E.J. Crane, who was editor of Chemical Abstracts from 1915-1958. Subsequently, there was a desire to honor and establish an award in his memory. In February 1975 the ACS Board of Directors accepted a proposal by the Dayton and Columbus Sections for a jointly sponsored Patterson-Crane Award. Through 2010 there have been 31 recipients of the joint award.
The biennial award consists of a $3,000 honorarium and a personalized commendation. The award is funded by a bequest of the Patterson family to the Dayton Section, by the Helen G. Crane Fund of the Columbus Foundation, and by the Patterson-Crane Award Fund of the Columbus Section.
The Patterson-Crane Award Selection Jury consists of three members of the Columbus Section, three members of the Dayton Section, and the Chair of the American Chemical Society’s Division of Chemical Information (or his or her designated representative).
For previous years’ winners, please see the Columbus Section website.
Criteria for Award
Nominees, who need not hold ACS membership, should demonstrate outstanding achievement in the documentation of chemistry, including original books or articles, reviews and bibliographies, histories, and biographies. In addition, contributions of international significance may relate to:
- Design, development, production, or management of chemical information systems or services.
- Electronic access to and retrieval of chemical information, and critically evaluated data compilations.
- Information technology applications in chemistry or other significant chemical documentation, including production of original works, editorial work, or chemical library work.
Call for Nominations – 2020
The ACS Dayton and Columbus Sections are seeking nominations for the 2020 Austin M. Patterson-E. J. Crane Award for outstanding contributions to the field of chemical information, broadly defined. The award will be presented at the 51st Central Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, to be held in Columbus, Ohio, May 27-29, 2020. The award consists of a $3,000 honorarium and travel expenses.
Nominations must include a one- to three-page nomination letter highlighting contributions by the nominee to the field of chemical information, biographical information about the nominee, a bibliography of publications and presentations relevant to the award, and one seconding letter (although this may have more than one signatory). The nominee does not need to be an ACS member.
Nominations must be received by March 31, 2020 and should be sent via e-mail to Dr. Christopher Hadad, Chair, Columbus Section of the American Chemical Society, at [email protected] and to Dr. Steve Trohalaki, Chair, Dayton Section PCA Committee, at [email protected].
Award-Winner
The 2018 winner of the Patterson-Crane Award was Dr. Paul S. Weiss, UC Presidential Chair, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and Distinguished Professor of Materials Science & Engineering at UCLA.
For previous years’ winners, please see the Columbus Section website.
The Patterson-Crane Award was to be presented at the Central Regional Meeting starting that year, but the CRM in Toledo was canceled. Prof. Weiss, who was the Program Chair for the August 2018 National ACS Meeting in Boston, offered to organize a half day symposium at Boston. Below is the picture from the ACS Patterson-Crane Award Symposium speakers from left to right:
Jillian Buriak, Lloyd Whitman, Steve Trohalaki, Paul Weiss, Fraser Stoddart, and George Whitesides
