Van H. Manning

Vannoy Hartrog Manning (December 15, 1861 – July 13, 1932), better known as Van H. Manning, was the second director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and was instrumental in developing chemical warfare defense technologies during World War I.

Early life Vannoy Hartrog Manning was born on December 15, 1861, in Horn Lake, Mississippi, to Mary Zilafro (née Wallace) and Vannoy Hartrog Manning, a Mississippi congressman. He attended school in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He attended University of Mississippi for three years, before moving back to Holly Springs to teach school. He established chemical laboratories at American University, which would later be used by the Chemical Warfare Service in World War I. Manning argued that chemical production and research should remain under civilian control and not military, but President Wilson transferred 1,700 American chemists to the Chemical Warfare Service in June 1918.

Following the war in 1920, Manning resigned his position as director of the Bureau of Mines to become director of research for the American Petroleum Institute in 1920. He held that role until 1924 when he became a consulting engineer with the Pan-American Petroleum & Transport Company for the Bureau of Mines. In 1928, Manning became director of engineering and technical research for the Petroleum Research Corporation. Following the 1929 Wall Street Crash and ill health, Manning resigned from his position in 1930.

Personal life

Manning married Emily S. Stephens of Washington, D.C., in 1898 in Denison, Texas. Together, they had two sons: Van H. Manning Jr. and Oscar Stevens Manning.

Manning died on July 13, 1932, at his home in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City. He was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Awards Manning was given an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree by the University of Pittsburgh in 1919.