Davorin Dolar

Davorin Dolar (1 January 1921 – 12 November 2005) was a Slovenian chemist at the University of Ljubljana. He was a physical chemist who studied polyelectrolyte solutions. He is regarded as a founder of modern physical chemistry teaching in Slovenia. He was a member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Education and career In 1939, Dolar began studying chemistry at the University of Ljubljana and then graduated in 1944. In 1947 he enrolled at the University of Leningrad and continued studying physical chemistry. In 1952 he became an assistant professor of physical chemistry in Ljubljana. In 1954 he moved to Brooklyn to work under Professor Gregor at the Polytechnic Institute. He ended up choosing chemistry because he wanted to stay near the mountains and there was a factory nearby in need of chemical engineers. Known in his prime as a master mountain climber and mountain rescuer, he continued to hike his entire life.

His father was Simon Dolar, a popular mathematics professor, who was responsible for inspiring Davorin's love of the sciences. From his retirement in 1989 to his death in 2005, Dolar remained highly active in the academic community, continuing to advise aspiring chemists until the end of his life.