Clara Benson Popular Books

Clara Benson Biography & Facts

Clara Cynthia Benson (1875–1964) was a Canadian chemist, the sole female founder of the American Society for Biological Chemistry (now the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)) and one of the first two women to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (U of T) (the other being philosophy student Emma Baker). She later became one of U of T's first two female associate professors. Trained in physical chemistry, she switched focus to biochemistry when lack of job opportunities for female chemists led her to take a position teaching food chemistry as part of U of T's Domestic Science program. She also played a large role in the development of U of T's women's athletics program. Early life and education Clara Cynthia Benson was born in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada June 5, 1875 to Thomas Moore Benson and Laura Abigail Fuller. Laura and Thomas, a widowed businessman, lawyer, and judge, had three children together and additionally raised two daughters from Thomas' first marriage. Clara attended Port Hope High School then entered University College of the University of Toronto (U of T) in 1895 to study chemistry, mathematics and physics. This was only one year after the school began admitting women, and women were still not allowed into the school's reading rooms and were denied access to the library catalogues.Benson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from U of T in 1899 (the first woman to do so) and continued straight into PhD studies. She earned her doctorate in 1903, making her one of the first two women to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (U of T) (the other being philosophy student Emma Baker).Benson's doctoral research, supervised by William Lash Miller, examined reaction rates of inorganic salt solutions. Her thesis, The rates of the reactions in solutions containing ferrous sulphate, potassium iodide, and chromic acid was published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (JPC) in May, 1903. Career and research Benson's early research was in the field of physical chemistry, with an emphasis on reaction rates of inorganic salt solutions. Her 1902 article "The Rate of Oxidation of Ferrous Salts by Chromic Acid" may make her the second female author (after Marie Curie) to publish in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (JPC).As a woman, she had difficulty finding a job as a physical chemist after graduating, so she took a position as a demonstrator in food science at U of T's new Lillian Massey School of Domestic Science. She objected to this program's goal of preparing women to be housewives and had even signed a petition organized by University College's Women's Alumnae Association in 1902 questioning the program's introduction. At the time, however, food chemistry was one of the chemistry sub-fields with better professional opportunities for women.This position involved switching from U of T's Chemistry Department to their Physiology (Physiological Chemistry) Department, where she was mentored by the "Father of the Medical School at Toronto," A.B. Macallum. Her subsequent research included biochemical examinations of fluid and tissue composition.When food science was incorporated into U of T's medical curriculum in 1905, Benson was promoted to lecturer in physiological chemistry (biochemistry), making her the first woman at U of T to achieve a rank above demonstrator. In 1906, a royal commission report led to the creation of the Faculty of Household Science, of which Benson and the principal, Annie Laird, became associate professors, making them U of T's first female professors. Benson helped develop the school's food chemistry program and, in 1926, was promoted to full professor and head of the Department of Food Chemistry (a position she held until her retirement as professor emeritus in 1945).Starting in 1915, she conducted summer studies at St. Andrews Biological Station examining the chemistry of seafood. At the request of Canada's Ministry of Marine and Fisheries, which was trying to build consumer demand for fish, she organized a group of food scientists from Canadian universities to work to improve fish preparation methods.During World War I she developed and organized a course of instruction on ways to adapt food chemistry analysis techniques to explosives. These methods were adopted by munitions laboratories, helping standardized their production steps.She was sole female founder of the American Society for Biological Chemistry (now the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)) when it formed in December, 1906. Other interests and later life Benson advocated for the development of women's athletics at the University of Toronto, co-chairing a committee on the matter and serving as the first president of the Women's Athletic Association from 1921 until her retirement. She sat on a committee of female faculty members formed in 1928 to fight for the creation of a women's athletic facility. When U of T opened their first women's gymnasium in 1959, they named it the Benson Building in her honor.Benson served on the national board of the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association), chairing their Foreign Committee, and her work with the organization led her to sponsor two French World War II orphans after her retirement. Her hobbies included stamp-collecting and traveling. She also enjoyed film-making, and videos she took while on some of her travels are housed at U of T's archives.She was colleagues and friends with biochemist Maud Menten, who was also trained by Archibald Macallum.Benson never married nor had children, and after retiring in 1945, she returned to Port Hope where she died March 24, 1964 (aged 89). Honors and awards Benson was elected a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Chemistry in 1919, but was not allowed to attend their Annual Dinner in 1920 because she was a woman.She was listed in the 1920s' American Men in Science.U of T's Household Science alumnae created a fellowship in her honor in 1950 and hung a portrait of her by Yousef Karsh in the Household Science building.In 1992, the Canadian Society of Chemistry created the annually-awarded Clara Benson Award to honor female chemists working in Canada.In 2003, U of T celebrated the 100 year anniversary of her PhD achievement with a day of celebrations including a reenactment of her thesis defense. Selected publications Benson, Clara C. (January 1902). "The Rates of the Reactions in Solutions Containing Ferrous Sulphate, Potassium Iodide, and Chromic Acid". The Journal of Physical Chemistry. 7 (5): 356–388. doi:10.1021/j150050a003. ISSN 0092-7325. Benson, Clara C. (January 1902). "The Rate of Oxidation of Ferrous Salts by Chromic Acid". The Journal of Physical Chemistry. 7 (1): 1–14. doi:10.1021/j150046a001. ISSN 0092-7325. Benson, Clara C. (January 1902). "The Composition of the Surface Layers of Aqueous Amyl Alcohol". The Journal of Physical Chemistry. 7 (7): 532–536. doi:10.1021/j150052a002. ISSN 0092-7325. Macallum, A. B.; B.... Discover the Clara Benson popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Clara Benson books.

Best Seller Clara Benson Books of 2024

  • Angela Marchmont Mysteries Books 1-10 synopsis, comments

    Angela Marchmont Mysteries Books 1-10

    Clara Benson

    This omnibus edition contains all ten books in the Angela Marchmont Mystery series Meet enigmatic "lady detective" Angela Marchmont in this series of lighthearted and charming 1920...

  • The Incident at Fives Castle synopsis, comments

    The Incident at Fives Castle

    Clara Benson

    It is Hogmanay, and Angela Marchmont is at Fives Castle, the Scottish seat of the Earl of Strathmerrick, to see in the start of 1928. But when she finds out that the Foreign Secret...

  • A Case of Duplicity in Dorset synopsis, comments

    A Case of Duplicity in Dorset

    Clara Benson

    When the Duke of Purbeck throws a house party to celebrate his daughter's twentyfirst birthday and present her with a family heirloom, nobody expects that the weekend will end in m...

  • The Imbroglio at the Villa Pozzi synopsis, comments

    The Imbroglio at the Villa Pozzi

    Clara Benson

    While holidaying in Italy, Angela Marchmont is persuaded to postpone her trip to Venice and go to Stresa instead, to investigate a pair of spiritualists who are suspected of defrau...

  • The Trouble at Wakeley Court synopsis, comments

    The Trouble at Wakeley Court

    Clara Benson

    When the Grand Duke of Morania learns of a plot to assassinate him, he sends his daughter Princess Irina to school in England, out of harm’s way. British Intelligence scent trouble...

  • The Scandal at 23 Mount Street synopsis, comments

    The Scandal at 23 Mount Street

    Clara Benson

    When an unwelcome figure from her past turns up unexpectedly, Angela Marchmont has no idea that she is about to become the most notorious woman in Britain. Forced to reveal secrets...

  • The Body on Archangel Beach synopsis, comments

    The Body on Archangel Beach

    Clara Benson

    The honeymoon was an accidentbut the dead body isn’t. Angela Marchmont is back for a new adventure!   Notquitenewlywed Angela Marchmont is having a belated honeymoon on the id...

  • A Question of Hats synopsis, comments

    A Question of Hats

    Clara Benson

    When a mysterious parcel containing a hat is delivered by mistake to Angela Marchmont she thinks little of it, except to note that she wouldn’t be seen dead in the thing. But if sh...

  • A Case of Robbery on the Riviera synopsis, comments

    A Case of Robbery on the Riviera

    Clara Benson

    ‘Oh, something is bound to go wrong, but one might as well start out from a position of optimism, don’t you think?’ said Angela.   It's fair to say that Freddy PilkingtonSoame...

  • The Mystery of Edwin Drood synopsis, comments

    The Mystery of Edwin Drood

    Charles Dickens

    Charles Dickens's final, unfinished novel has inspired generations of speculation ...Choirmaster John Jasper is a man of deep hypocrisy. His public reputation is flawless yet priva...

  • Angela Marchmont Mysteries Books 1-3 synopsis, comments

    Angela Marchmont Mysteries Books 1-3

    Clara Benson

    This omnibus edition contains the first three books in the Angela Marchmont Mystery series Meet enigmatic "lady detective" Angela Marchmont in this series of lighthearted and charm...

  • God for the Killing synopsis, comments

    God for the Killing

    Kain Massin

    Judith, a daring and beautiful woman, hardened by her life as a slave and angered by the treatment of her people, the inhabitants of Nazareth, becomes a feared and powerful figure ...

  • A Case of Conspiracy in Clerkenwell synopsis, comments

    A Case of Conspiracy in Clerkenwell

    Clara Benson

    The ladies of Clerkenwell Central Hall are none too pleased at having their Temperance meetings disrupted by the rowdy Communists next door, but for Miss Olive Stapleton in particu...

  • The Treasure at Poldarrow Point synopsis, comments

    The Treasure at Poldarrow Point

    Clara Benson

    When Angela Marchmont goes to Cornwall on doctor's orders she is looking forward to a nice rest and nothing more exciting than a little seabathing. But her plans for a quiet holida...

  • The Murder at Sissingham Hall synopsis, comments

    The Murder at Sissingham Hall

    Clara Benson

    "It's absolutely delightful, and I would recommend it to anyone who's a fan of Sarah Caudwell, or Agatha Christie, or anyone who loves really clever British murder mysteries set in...

  • The Man on the Train synopsis, comments

    The Man on the Train

    Clara Benson

    The Man on the Train is a prequel to the Angela Marchmont mysteries and can be read without fear of spoilers!   October 1925: On finding herself stuck in a small town in Illin...

  • A Case of Blackmail in Belgravia synopsis, comments

    A Case of Blackmail in Belgravia

    Clara Benson

    It's 1929, and Ticky Maltravers is the toast of London high society, adored by everyoneor so it seems, until somebody poisons him over dinner. Now it turns out that numerous people...

  • A Case of Perplexity in Piccadilly synopsis, comments

    A Case of Perplexity in Piccadilly

    Clara Benson

    West End theatre impresario Septimus Gooch is a man with many enemies, but when he's found dead in his leading lady’s dressingroom the police put it down to an accident. The cast o...

  • A Case of Murder in Mayfair synopsis, comments

    A Case of Murder in Mayfair

    Clara Benson

    When Hollywood star Dorothy Dacres plummets six floors from her hotel terrace on the night of her greatest triumph, it initially looks like a tragic accident. But her death is so v...

  • The Problem at Two Tithes synopsis, comments

    The Problem at Two Tithes

    Clara Benson

    On a reluctant visit to her painfully respectable brother and his wife, Angela Marchmont finds herself once again caught up in murder when a local farmer is shot dead, apparently a...

  • The Shadow at Greystone Chase synopsis, comments

    The Shadow at Greystone Chase

    Clara Benson

    After her bruising encounter with the law, Angela Marchmont has vowed to give up detecting, and is doing her best to forget the events of last winter and the terrible lie she told ...

  • Angela Marchmont Mysteries Books 4-6 synopsis, comments

    Angela Marchmont Mysteries Books 4-6

    Clara Benson

    This omnibus edition contains books 4, 5 and 6 in the Angela Marchmont Mystery series Angela's adventures continue in this series of lighthearted and charming 1920s mysteries! Incl...

  • The Mystery at Underwood House synopsis, comments

    The Mystery at Underwood House

    Clara Benson

    Old Philip Haynes was never happier than when his family were at each other's throats. Even after his death the terms of his will ensured they would keep on feuding. But now three ...

  • Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures Books 1-3 synopsis, comments

    Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures Books 1-3

    Clara Benson

    This omnibus edition contains the first three books in the Freddy PilkingtonSoames Adventure series   Join chaotic 1920s reporter and accidental sleuth Freddy PilkingtonSoames...

  • Dangerous Deception at Honeychurch Hall synopsis, comments

    Dangerous Deception at Honeychurch Hall

    Hannah Dennison

    'Just the thing to chase the blues away' M. C. BeatonAll's fair in love . . . and antiques wars!Things are going well for Kat Stanford; not only is her antiques business thriving, ...