William Standish Knowles Quotes

United States, Chemist
June 1, 1917 – June, 13, 2012.

William Standish Knowles (June 1, 1917 – June 13, 2012) was an American chemist. He was born in Taunton, Massachusetts. Knowles was one of the recipients of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He split 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.

I can't think of any relatives that ever went into science.

William Standish Knowles
- Thinking
To my father, business was the highest calling, but to my mother, medicine was the top profession.

William Standish Knowles
- Mother
- Father
- Profession

At Harvard I majored in chemistry with a strong inclination toward math.

William Standish Knowles
- Strong
- Math
- Chemistry
My family background was heavily slanted toward business and seafaring matters.

William Standish Knowles
Later in the fifties I got involved in kinetic studies using my long forgotten math background.

William Standish Knowles
- Long
- Study
- Math
In those days I was terrible at athletics and never made a team, but quite easily led my class in academics.

William Standish Knowles
- Team
- Made
- Class
I was born in Taunton, Massachusetts on June 1, 1917, but I actually grew up in nearby New Bedford.

William Standish Knowles
- Born
- Grew
- June
I was particularly good at math and science.

William Standish Knowles
- Math

At the time my dog had a fungus on her chest that wouldn't heal and resisted treatment. I made an ointment with our product and it cleared up in two days. She lived to 17 years.

William Standish Knowles
- Dog
- Made
- Heal
I'll never forget the fall colors on the Berkshires.

William Standish Knowles
- Fall
- Color
- Forget
I was one who liked to work with my hands as well as my brain.

William Standish Knowles
- Brain
- Hands
- Wells
My family gave me the best in education.

William Standish Knowles
- Family