Abel Wolman

Infobox_Scientist
name = Abel Wolman


image_width= 180px
caption = Portrait of Wolman hanging in The Wolman Bldg. lobby
birth_date =birth date|1892|6|10
death_date =death date|1989|2|22
birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland USA
residence = Baltimore, Maryland USA
nationality = American
field = sanitary engineering.
work_institution = Johns Hopkins University
alma_mater = Johns Hopkins University
known_for = standardized the methods used to chlorinate drinking-water
prizes = National Medal of Science, Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

Abel Wolman (born June 10, 1892 - died February 22, 1989) was an American inventor, scientist, professor and pioneer of modern sanitary engineering. His work in supplying clean water to the world spanned eight decades.

Background

Wolman was born, grew up, was educated, lived and died in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from the Baltimore City College in 1909, got a B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University in 1913 and then a B.S. in engineering from Hopkins in 1915. From 1914 to 1939, Wolman worked for the Maryland State Department of Health, serving as Chief Engineer from 1922 to 1939. It was during his early years there that he made his most important contribution. Working in cooperation with chemist Linn Enslow, he standardized the methods used to chlorinate Baltimore's drinking-water supply. His efforts there helped develop the plan for Baltimore's water supply so thoroughly and effectively that it remains well-provided for growth through the 21st century. His work also benefited water systems in New York, Detroit and Columbus, Ohio. A collection of his writings has been published: Water, Health and Society, Selected Papers. [ [http://www.ajtmh.org/cgi/content/abstract/20/1/165-a] ]

Wolman taught for many years on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University, where he established the Department of Sanitary Engineering in 1937. He served as the department's chairman until his official retirement in 1962. In May, 1966 the university named a newly-acquired dormitory Wolman Hall in his honor. [ [http://www.jhu.edu/tour/wolman.html Wolman Hall] , JHU Campus Tour]

In 1986, the City of Baltimore renamed its public works building, the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, honoring his years of service to the city. [http://www.apwa.net/About/SIG/PWHS/socact.asp#abel Abel Wolman Award] , American Public Works Association] Today, the Abel Wolman building is where citizens of Baltimore come to pay their property taxes, parking fines and metered water bills. [http://baltimorecity.gov/news//press/030925b.html]

Wolman's son, M. Gordon "Reds" Wolman, is an eminent geomorphologist who is currently on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University. M. Gordon Wolman is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and an expert on water resources, public health, and geography. Reds was the founder and for 20 years the Chairman of the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University. [ [http://www.geotimes.org/may04/profiles.html Reds Wolman: From cows to pebble counts] , "Geotimes", May 2004.]

List of Honors

*Albert Lasker Public Service Award, 1960
*National Medal of Science, 1974
*Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, 1976

References

External links

* [http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1966&page=285 Abel Wolman tribute]
* [http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/biomems/awolman.html Letters]