
Herman F. Mark
Wolf Prize Laureate in Chemistry 1979

The Wolf Foundation Prize Committee in Chemistry for 1979 has selected:
Herman F. Mark
Polytechnic Institute of New York
New York, N.Y., USA
“for his contributions to understanding the structure and behavior of natural and synthetic polymers.”
Professor (Emeritus) Mark’s contribution has had a major effect upon the academic understanding of this important class of materials, which in nature play a central role not only in the structure of the living cell but in its function as well. Herman Mark’s scientific contribution and personal interest have played a major role in the development of synthetic materials on a huge scale everywhere. Today´s use of these synthetic materials has changed the style of life throughout the world.
Since 1940 Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Polytechnic Institute of New York, Prof. Mark has published over 500 original and review articles and has written about 20 books on various topics related to polymer chemistry. Doctor Honoris Causa at 17 Universities and Polytechnics, member of 18 Academies of Science throughout the world, among them U.S.A., U.S.S.R., Holland, Germany, Austria and India. Professor Mark has received a great number of medals and awards since 1928.
