Frank Westheimer

Frank Henry Westheimer (January 15, 1912 – April 14, 2007) was an American chemist. He was the Morris Loeb Professor of Chemistry Emeritus at Harvard University, and the Westheimer medal is named in his honour.

Quotes

• A couple of months in the laboratory can frequently save a couple of hours in the library.
  • Crampon, Jean E. 1988. Murphy, Parkinson, and Peter: Laws for librarians. Library Journal 113. no. 17 (October 15), p. 41.
  • Various forms, often credited as Westheimer’s Discovery – other forms include:
    • A month in the laboratory can often save an hour in the library.
      • UCLA Library ^{[citation needed]}
    • Why spend a day in the library when you can learn the same thing by working in the laboratory for a month?
      • Frank H. Westheimer, major figure in 20th century chemistry, dies at 95, Harvard Gazette, April 19, 2007
  • Some version perhaps found in 1979 interview, Frank H. Westheimer, Oral Histories, Chemical Heritage Foundation, in chapter “Research Projects and Philosophy”, p. 63, topic “Reading the literature.”

• James Bryant Conant, to Frank Westheimer on presenting an idea: (Harvard Gazette)
  • “It may not work, but if it does, it will be a footnote to a footnote in the history of chemistry.”
  • Presumably in 1979 interview, section “Graduate Study at Harvard”, pp. 16–31, topic “Important conversation with James Conant.”