William Robert Boon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 March 1911 |
| Died | 28 October 1994 (aged 83) |
| Education | King's College London |
| Known for | Paraquat |
| Awards | Mullard Award (1972) FRS (1974) |
William Robert Boon FRS FRSC (20 March 1911 – 28 October 1994) was a British chemist, known for developing the herbicide paraquat.
William Boon (Bill) was the only child of Walter Boon and Ellen Catherine (née Medhurst). After attending two private schools he entered St Dunstan's College. His chemistry master [there] (W Anderson) persuaded his father to let him stay at school and aim for a university education. He was accepted by King's College London and gained an honours degree in chemistry in 1932, followed by a PhD in biochemistry in 1936.
Boon's scientific career is thoroughly described in the Royal Society Memoir. The highlights of his time at ICI are:
He was awarded the Mullard Award of the Royal Society in 1972 and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1974. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of King's College London.
In 1938 Bill married Marjorie Betty Oury, a fellow graduate of King's. They had 3 children: Sally (1939), Michael Robert (1942) and Heather Mary (1948).
Boon had various hobbies and interests. He was an accomplished linguist, photographer and cabinet maker. He made items of furniture for his and Betty’s home and for those of their three children when they married. He also made an altar table for his local parish church. He shared with his wife an interest in music, opera and ballet.
Wiiliam Robert Boom died in Oxford following a long period of illness. He was survived by his wife, son and two daughters.