The Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois

The Carl Shipp Marvel Lecture fund supports the Carl Shipp Marvel Lectures in Organic Chemistry.  Presented annually in the Spring semester, these lectures feature prestigious researchers in the area of organic chemistry.  Named for the esteemed Illinois chemistry professor Carl "Speed" Marvel, these lectures have featured such individuals as Barbara Imperiali, Steven Ley, and Peter Dervan. 

In 1930, "Speed" became Professor of Organic Chemistry at Illinois and in 1953 he attained the rank of Research Professor. Professor Marvel's work at Illinois was truly outstanding. He published more than 400 papers and was in large part responsible for the establishment of the field of organic polymers.

After Professor Marvel's retirement from Illinois in 1961, he began a new career at the University of Arizona and continued to produce outstanding chemistry, adding more than 100 publications to his list of accomplishments. Speed Marvel passed away on January 4, 1988.

Professor Marvel received many awards in honor of his achievements: election to the National Academy of Sciences, 1938; Nichols Medal, New York Section ACS, 1944; Priestly Medal, ACS, 1956; election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1960; first ACS Award in Polymer Chemistry, 1964; Perkin Medal, American Section, Society of Chemical Industry, 1965; National Medal of Science, 1986.

Click here to make a donation to the Carl Shipp Marvel Lecture Fund.