Early Life and Education
Augustus Herman Gill was one of the founding fathers of oil analysis and was perhaps the first to formalize it as a field of study. Gill was born in Canton, Mass., August 1, 1864, and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in chemistry in 1884 at the age of 20. He continued on with MIT for three more years as an assistant and instructor in the Chemistry Department.
Academic and Professional Achievements
In 1890, Gill received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Leipzig University in Germany and returned to MIT to continue teaching. This was a time when the industrial revolution was fueling great interest in oil and lubricants, leading to the creation of formalized studies and research programs in the United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. A throng of papers and books began to emerge into the technical literature dealing with lubrication, friction devices and physical properties analysis. One book in particular, published by Gill in 1897, entitled, 'A Short Hand-book of Oil Analysis,' is regarded as the seminal work on the subject. MIT made Gill a full professor in 1909 and emeritus professor in 1934 two years before his death.
During his tenure at MIT, Gill taught courses in oil and gas analysis and the practical testing of alkaloids, asphalt, boiler waters, casein, celluloid, essential oils, glue, inks, paper, rubber, soap and wood preservatives. In 1923, Rhode Island State College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Sc.D.
Although a professor at MIT for nearly all his career, Dr. Gill's passion for oil and lubrication led him towards practical applications rather than theoretical pursuits. He is credited as being the first person in the United States (perhaps the world) to offer formal instruction in the analysis of gases and oils. Literally thousands of MIT students attended courses on the subject from him.
Involvement in Professional Societies
Professor Gill was one of the founding members of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), D-2 Committee on Petroleum Products and Lubricants, having first joined ASTM in 1906. The first standards from this historic committee did not begin to emerge until about 1911. Gill was an active participant and held offices in many other professional organizations including the American Chemical Society and the Oil Chemists Society.
Literary Contributions
Besides his book, 'A Short Hand-book of Oil Analysis,' published in eleven editions, he was the author of 'Gas and Fuel Analysis for Engineers' (ten editions) and "Engine Room Chemistry" (three editions). His daughter Helen Gill, also a graduate of MIT, shared his interest in oil analysis and co-authored several works with him, including, 'A Possible Test for the Oiliness of Oils' and 'Industrial and Engineering Chemistry,' May, 1926.
Honorary Recognition
Gill passed away on November 11, 1936, at the age of 72.
It was because of Professor Gill's pioneering work in oil analysis and interest in disseminating practical knowledge through education and publications that the ICML chose to honor him by offering an annual award in his name.