Abraham Lincoln Marshall
General Electric
Inducted 1975
A graduate of the University of British Columbia in 1918, Dr. Abraham Lincoln Marshall (1897 – 1974) received an M.A. from the University of Toronto in 1920 and a Ph.D. from the University of London in 1922. He then became an instructor in physical chemistry at Princeton, where he worked on the mercury photosensitized reactions of hydrogen with oxygen and carbon monoxide.
In 1926, Dr. Marshall began his industry career at the General Electric research laboratory in Schenectady, N.Y., continuing his early work in photochemistry and studying the formation of Vitamin D by monochromatic light and the influence of cathode rays on the combination of hydrogen and oxygen and the formation of ozone.
Abraham Lincoln Marshall was also a leading polymer chemistry researcher at General Electric’s Chemical Research Department in Schenectady. He served as manager from 1933 to 1961. He oversaw developments that led to polycarbonates, polyvinyl formal wire enamels, irradiated and chemically cross-linked polyethylene, glyceryl phthalate resins, and direct-process silicones.
Summarizing his accomplishments over his 35‐year career with the company, Dr. Marshall contributed to developing synthetic diamonds, silicones, advanced types of electrical insulation, and several engineering plastics. Few chemical researchers have had commercially significant discoveries in such diverse areas of chemical synthesis. (Based on a NEW YORK TIMES article, MAY 24, 1974)
Areas of Expertise:
Plastics materials