Chemistry at The University of Western Ontario – A brief history

A brief institutional history of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, from the founding of the university in 1878 until modern times is presented. After its beginnings as a subject taught to medical students, chemistry began to achieve independent status with the construction of a dedicated sciences building in 1924. Growth remained slow until government began to fund university education, and science studies, more generously in the 1950s. Emphasis on research and knowledge creation followed and major funding for infrastructure and senior faculty followed in the 1960s, when Western mined commonwealth sources for researchers of exceptional potential. The arrival of the baby boom generation in the late 1960s forced another expansion of chemistry faculty and staff. Later in the 20th century, a number of specialized and interdisciplinary chemical subspecialties, such as the Centre for Chemical Physics, the Canadian Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Madison, Wisconsin, Surface Science Western, and Interface Science Western, were created under the direction of several visionary chemists. An evolution of investigative interests continues in the 21st century, together with a departmental commitment to outstanding teaching and postuniversity career preparation for its students. After producing its first publication in 1915, the department published its 6000th in 2012, signaling a strong century of growth.