November 16, 1881-April 30, 1983

BY KENNETH S. PITZER

THIS BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY differs from that for a typical scientist in many respects. First, there is the remarkable diversity of fields in which Joel Hildebrand made major contributions. To research scientists and engineers, his contributions to our knowledge of liquids and nonelectrolyte solutions are most important. But a substantially larger group recognize him as their outstanding teacher of freshman chemistry and often as the most inspiring teacher of their college experience. Others know him as mountaineer, lover of the outdoors, president of the Sierra Club, and coauthor with his daughter Louise of a charming little book, Camp Catering. There was his effective leadership in a variety of educational and scientific organizations far beyond chemistry, involving service as a member of the Council of the National Academy of Sciences (1949-52), dean of men and dean of the College of Letters and Science at the University of California, and member of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Education to the California Legislature. And, finally, he continued his active professional life past age 101.

It is a special pleasure to me to have the opportunity to write this biography. I first met Joel Hildebrand when I entered graduate school at Berkeley in 1935. His cordial-