Frederick gardner cottrell biography of rory

American physical chemist, inventor and philanthropist

Frederick Gardner Cottrell (January 10, 1877 – November 16, 1948) was an Americanphysical chemist, inventor and philanthropist. He is best known for his invention of the electrostatic precipitator, one of the first inventions designed to eliminate air pollution—and for establishing the Research Corporation for Science Advancement, a foundation that has funded scientific research since 1912.

Biography

He was born on January 10, 1877, in Oakland, California, to Cynthia (née Durfee) and Henry Cottrell, both prominent families going back to the settlement of America.^[1]

Cottrell's immense curiosity gained him notice early in life. One acquaintance said, “He read textbooks like novels.” He finished high school at age 16, entered the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in 3 years.^[2] After graduation, he taught chemistry at Oakland High School, saving money (his