Mulliken, Robert S.

Mulliken, Robert S. (Sanderson) (1896–1986) molecular chemist; born in Newburyport, Mass. He spent most of his career as a professor at the University of Chicago (1928–65). His major contribution was his "molecular orbital" theory (first proposed in 1928), which, in its explanation of the bonds between atoms forming molecules, has had great impact in both basic science and applied research. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry (1966).