The Charles D. Hurd Lectures were established to educate Northwestern students and faculty about industrial research via direct interaction with distinguished scientists. It is fitting that the lectureship be named in honor of the late Charles D. Hurd, Clare Hamilton Hall Research Professor Emeritus. From his initial appointment to Northwestern in 1924, Professor Hurd maintained close ties with industry. He served as a consultant to various companies over a period of four decades, received twelve patents, and utilized grants from industry to help establish research in organic chemistry at Northwestern.

Professor Hurd authored roughly 300 scientific publications, including the seminal monograph “Pyrolysis of Carbon Compounds.” In addition, he was a founding editor of the Journal of Organic Chemistry, served as a consultant on all chemical terms in the unabridged Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, and contributed to various encyclopedias. His passion for correct nomenclature and the precise use of language was recognized by the 1971 Austin M. Patterson Award. Furthermore, the books, Organic Nomenclature: A Programmed Introduction by J. G. Traynham, Organic Chemistry by Smith and Cristol, and The Chemist’s English by R. Schoenfeld, were dedicated to Charles D. Hurd.