Joseph McLain

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Joseph McLain
White male with dark hair in a tan suit
Joseph McLain in 1951
Academic background
Alma materJohns Hopkins University
Academic work
DisciplineChemistry
Sub-disciplinePyrotechnics
InstitutionsWashington College
President of Washington College
In office
1973–1981
Preceded byCharles J. Merdinger
Succeeded byGarry E. Clarke
Personal details
BornJuly 11, 1916
Weirton, West Virginia
DiedJuly 26, 1981(1981-07-26) (aged 65)
Baltimore, Maryland
Spouse(s)Margret Anne Hollingsworth McLain
Children2

Joseph Howard McLain (July 11, 1916 – July 26, 1981) was an American chemist. He was a professor at Washington College and became college president. He is best known for his expertise in solid state chemistry and pyrotechnics. He held 30 patents, including for smoke grenades, underwater torches, and flares.[1]

Biography[]

Joseph McLain was born in Weirton, West Virginia on July 11, 1916, the son of Howard and Elizabeth McLain.[2][3] He spent his childhood in Baltimore, Maryland.[4] Like his older brother, McLain was educated at Washington College.[5] While in college, McLain was a member of Theta Chi, president of the class of 1937, and played basketball, football, lacrosse, and track.[6][1] He did his doctoral work at Johns Hopkins University in chemistry. During World War II, McLain paused his education to serve as a major in the US Army Chemical Corps doing research on smoke screens and pyrotechnics.[5][7]

Joseph McLain received his doctorate in 1946 and joined the faculty of Washington College the same year. While he was a professor, McLain was a partner in the Kent Manufacturing Company, which made fireworks, until there was an explosion at the plant in 1954.[7] During the explosion, McLain rescued two women from the plant.[5] After the disaster, McLain and his partners dissolved the company and McLain and worked on safety standards for fireworks with fellow Washington College alumnus and professor .[7][8] The pair wrote recommendations for the safe storage for fireworks that became part of the first US standards.[8] In addition to his pyrotechnic research, McLain was active in environmental work, serving as a trustee of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and sitting on Maryland Water Pollution Control Commission.[1] In 1973, McLain became the president of Washington College.[4] He is the only alumnus of the school to ever serve as president.[9][10] McLain took a leave of absence from the college in 1981 and died in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins Hospital the same year.[1][5]

Personal life[]

Joseph McLain was married to Margret Anne Hollingsworth McLain.[5]

Publications[]

  • McLain, Joseph Howard (1980). Pyrotechnics: From the Viewpoint of Solid State Chemistry. Philadelphia: Franklin Institute Press. ISBN 9780891680321.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Dr. Joseph McLain". The Star-Democrat. Easton, Maryland. July 28, 1981. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  2. ^ "West Virginia Births and Christenings, 1853–1928", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HVK9-346Z : January 30, 2020), Joseph McLain, 1916.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Joseph McLain, a pyrotechnical inventor, environmentalist and university president". UPI. July 27, 1981. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Dennison, Sandy (July 27, 1981). "Washington College president Joseph H. McLain dies at 65". The News Journal. Wilmington, Delaware. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "Heads Maryland Commission". The Rattle of Theta Chi. 38 (4): 20. 1947.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c Heck, Peter (January 8, 2018). "Archives The Legacy of Fireworks at Washington College". Chestertown Spy. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Kobell, Rona (July 3, 2004). "Bursting with fireworks wisdom". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  9. ^ Thompson, William L. (2000). Landskroener, Marcia C. (ed.). Washington: The College at Chester. Chestertown: Literary House Press of Washington College. p. 153. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  10. ^ Rasmussen, Fredrick N. (December 8, 2014). "Ann H. McLain, 'first lady of Washington College'". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
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