Illinois alumnus St. Elmo Brady was the first African American to obtain a doctorate in chemistry in the U.S. He received his degree in 1916 for work completed at Noyes Laboratory and continued his career as a professor of chemistry at historically black colleges and universities. Brady was recently honored for his accomplishment by the American Chemical Society through the designation of a national historic chemical landmark.
Jameatris Yvette Rimkus will discuss the life and accomplishments of this important educator at 4 p.m. June 20 at Spurlock Museum of World History, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana. Rimkus has been an archives program officer with the University of Illinois Archives since June 2012. Her primary focus is helping researchers to navigate the archives’ extensive holdings inresearching underrepresented groups.
This event, titled “Twenty whites and one ‘other’: St. Elmo Brady, first African-American Ph.D.in chemistry” is part of the museum’s Third Thursday Series highlighting people, places and events in University of Illinois history. To request accessibility accommodations, call 217-333-2360.
