Chandler, Charles Frederick

Chandler, Charles Frederick (1836–1925) industrial chemist; born in Lancaster, Mass. Affiliated with Columbia University for most of his career (1864–1910), he was cofounder and dean of its School of Mines and later head of the chemistry department. Known as an inspiring teacher, he was unusually broad even for his time in encompassing chemistry, geology, and minerology as well as sanitation, oil refining, and social causes. In 1877, he began addressing the issues of food and water supplies for New York City and he became a pioneer in municipal milk control. He also fought abuses by slaughterhouses and gas companies and established a program of compulsory vaccination.