George S. Hammond is noted for creating and developing the field of organic photochemistry, the study of the interaction between light and various organic materials. He is also credited with training many of the important American organic photochemists over a period of three decades. Some of the products that resulted from work in this field include catalysts used in the production of vinyl plastics, chemicals used to form the intricate circuit patterns on computer chips, and materials used in solar cells to convert the sun's energy to electrical power.

George Simms Hammond was born in Auburn, Maine, on May 22, 1921. His father, Oswald Kenric Hammond, was a farmer. His mother's maiden name was Marjorie Thomas. George attended Bates College in nearby Lewiston, Maine, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. degree in chemistry in 1943. After graduation he was employed as a chemist with Rohm and Haas...