Neil Gordon

For the paediatric neurologist, see Neil Gordon (paediatrician).

Neil Elbridge Gordon (October 7, 1886 – May 30, 1949)^[2] was an American chemist and educator. He founded the Journal of Chemical Education (c. 1924) and established the Gordon Research Conferences (c. 1931).^[2]

Neil Gordon
Born	(1886-10-07)October 7, 1886 New York City, US
Died	May 30, 1949(1949-05-30) (aged 62) Detroit, Michigan, US
Alma mater	Syracuse University Johns Hopkins University
Known for	Gordon Research Conferences Journal of Chemical Education ACS Division of Chemical Education
Scientific career
Fields	Chemical education Physical chemistry
Institutions	Goucher College (1917–1919) University of Maryland (1919–1928) Johns Hopkins University (1928–1936) Central College in Missouri (1936-1942) Wayne State University (1942–1947)
Thesis	The Solubility of Liquids in Liquids. The Partition of the Lower Acids between Water and Cottonseed Oil. Also the Partition of Formic Acid between Water and Various Organic Compounds.  (1917[1])

Life and death

He held several Chair positions spanning his time at the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, Central College in Missouri, and Wayne State University.

On May 30, 1949, Gordon died by suicide from the roof of a "fashionable hotel" near downtown Detroit. Three policemen had tried unsuccessfully to prevent his leap. After his death the Gibson Island Conference, originally created by Gordon, was renamed the Gordon Research Conferences.^[3]