William Nunn Lipscomb Jr.
For much of his life, William Nunn Lipscomb, Jr., was known as The Colonel. Students and co-workers in his research group addressed him as Colonel instead of the more formal Professor or Doctor, and he signed notes to them accordingly. In 1973, he was even designated an honorary Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Known to his colleagues as Bill, Lipscomb adopted another title, Professor Lipscomb, which characterized him on the stage of Sanders Theater at the antic-filled Ig Nobel Prize ceremonies. There, as distinguished scientist, accomplished and versatile performer, prized date, and mischievous prankster, Lipscomb reveled in his labors. From 1959 to 2010 Lipscomb carried out research in structural chemistry at Harvard, serving as professor, chair from 1962 to 1965, Abbott and James Lawrence Professor from 1971, and Abbott and James Lawrence Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus, from 1990 to 2011. He taught introductory courses in general...