William Hultz Walker was born on July 4, 1869 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He showed an early aptitude for science and mathematics, which would eventually lead him to a successful career as a chemist.
Walker graduated from Penn State University in 1890 with a degree in chemistry. He furthered his education by obtaining a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Göttingen in Germany, where he studied under the renowned chemist Friedrich Woehler.
After completing his studies in Germany, Walker returned to the United States and began his career in academia. He eventually became the chair of industrial chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It was during his time at MIT that Walker made his most significant contributions to the field of chemical engineering.
Walker played a crucial role in writing the first American textbook of chemical engineering, Principles of Chemical Engineering, which was published in 1924. This textbook became the standard for chemical engineering education for many decades to come.
In 1908, Walker was awarded the Nichols Medal by the New York Section of the American Chemical Society, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.
Walker's mother, Anna Blair Walker, played a significant role in his life and upbringing. Despite his busy career, Walker always made time for his family and valued their support and encouragement.
William Hultz Walker is remembered as a pioneering chemist who revolutionized the field of chemical engineering in the United States. His contributions to education and research have had a lasting impact on the scientific community, and his work continues to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.