Hill, Henry Aaron

Impact on the world

Became the first Black president of the American Chemical Society in 1977, having overcome significant racial barriers earlier in his career; founded two chemical research companies and helped establish industry standards for employer-employee relations in the chemical sector.

Life & background

A chemist who faced substantial discrimination early in his career, Hill rose to vice president of the North Atlantic Research Corporation, where he focused on innovations in water-based paints, firefighting foam, and synthetic rubber. He later founded National Polychemicals, Inc. and Riverside Research Laboratories, both serving the polymer industry, before becoming the first African American president of the American Chemical Society in 1977.

Sources

1. AdvanSix; American Chemical Society