Background
Knowles, William Standish was born on June 1, 1917 in Taunton, Massachusetts, United States.
Knowles, William Standish was born on June 1, 1917 in Taunton, Massachusetts, United States.
Knowles attended Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts. He led his class academically and upon graduation was admitted to Harvard University after passing the College Board examinations Feeling that he was too young to go to college, Knowles spent a year at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.
At the end of the year, he captured his first award in chemistry, the school"s $50 Boylston Prize.
After his year in preparatory school, Knowles attended Harvard, where he majored in chemistry, focusing on organic chemistry.
He received his undergraduate degree in 1939, and attended Columbia University for graduate school.
He shared half the prize with Ryōji Noyori for their work in asymmetric synthesis, specifically for his work in hydrogenation reactions. The other half was awarded to K. Barry Sharpless for his work in oxidation reactions. Nobel Prize.
Member of National Academy of Sciences, American Chemical Society (St. Louis award 1978, Award for Creative Invention 1982), Organic Reactions Catalysis Society (Paul N Rylander award 1996).
Married; 4 children.