Lawrence E. Glendenin

Lawrence Elgin Glendenin (November 8, 1918 – November 22, 2008) was an American chemist from Michigan who co-discovered the element promethium.

Biography Glendenin was born in Bay City, Michigan on November 8, 1918. He attended the University of Chicago, graduating in 1941.

Clinton Laboratories Glendenin (front) on board the during the 1947 Bikini Scientific Resurvey, researching the aftereffects of the Bikini Atoll nuclear weapons tests the previous year. He worked as a chemist for the Clinton Laboratories (now Oak Ridge National Laboratory) during the World War II Manhattan Project, engaged in separating, identifying and characterizing the radioactive elements produced by nuclear fission. Marinsky and Glendenin produced it both by extraction from fission products and by bombarding neodymium with neutrons. Upon the suggestion of Coryell's wife, the team named the new element for the titan god Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods and was punished for the act by Zeus.

Szilárd petition In 1945, Glendenin and 154 other Manhattan Project scientists signed the Szilárd petition. The petition urged President Harry S. Truman not to use the first atomic bomb "without restriction", urging him instead to "describe and demonstrate" its power and give Japan "the opportunity to consider the consequences of further refusal to surrender".

Late career In 1949, Glendenin earned his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That same year he joined Argonne National Laboratory, where he worked until his retirement in 1985.

Family and death Glendenin was married for 63 years to Ethel Glendenin (née Long), who survived him at his death in November 2008. The couple were the parents of two daughters and one son.