"Moddie-Daniel-Taylor" (March 3,1912-September 15,1976)

A chemist by training,was a member of the small,elite of African American scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project the code name for the top-effort to create an atomic bomb during World War II.Moddie was born in Nyph Alabama the son of Herbert Taylor & Celeste (Oliver)Taylor.The Taylors later moved to St.Louis where Herbert worked as a postal clerk.Moddie attended Charles H.Summer high,graduating in 1931.He then attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City,Missouri where he majored in chemistry.Moddie graduated in 1935 as the valedictorian of his class.
Moddie began his teaching career at Lincoln University the same year,work as an instructor until 1939 and then as an assistant from 1939-1941 while enrolled in the University of Chicago graduate program in chemistry.He received and M.S. from the University in 1939 and a Ph.D. in 1943.


Moddie went to work on the Manhattan Project in 1945 at the University of Chicago.His worked as an associate chemist for the project for the next two years,involved in analyzing rare earth metals,elements of  which are the products of oxidized metals and have special properties an important industrial uses.His contributions to the project earned him a Certificate of Merit Secretary of War Robert P.Patterson in 1946.


In 1946 Moddie returned to Lincoln University for two years before becoming a chemistry professor at Howard University and chair of the department in 1969.His research at Howard included the study of the vapor phase of dissociation of some carboxylic acids,which resulted in a grant in 1956 from the American Academy of  Arts and Science.


In 1960, his textbook,First Principles,of  Chemistry,was published.It soon became one of the major texts in use in colleges and universities throughout the United States.Also in 1960,he was selected  by the Manufacturing Chemists Association as one of the nation's six top college chemistry professors.In 1972  Moddie was given the Honor Scroll from the Washington Institute of Chemists for his his research and teaching.
He was made a member of the American Chemical Society,the American Association for the Advancement of Science,the New York Academy of Sciences,Sigma Xi,and Beta Kappa Chi.Moddie was also a fellow of the American Institute of Chemists and the Washington Academy for the Advancement of Science.


Moddie retired as professor emeritus from Howard University on April 1,1976.