Edward Boomer
Professor of chemical engineering at the University of Alberta from 1925-45, Edward Herbert Boomer was born May 26, 1900 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He earned a BSc (1920) from the University of British Columbia before going on to obtain an MSc (1921) and a PhD (1923) from McGill University. In recognition of his academic achievement, he was awarded a Ramsey Memorial Fellowship (1923-25) by Cambridge University.Boomer’s career with the University of Alberta began in 1925 and spanned two decades. His first two years were spent as a lecturer of chemistry. He spent the next five years (1927-32) as an assistant professor of physical chemistry before becoming an associate professor (1932-43) of physical chemistry. In 1943, he was named a professor of physical chemistry and chemical engineering, a role he would carry out for the next two years.
Boomer’s contributions to the University were not limited to teaching; he was a member of the Faculty Council (1924-25) and of the Senate (1939-41), and he donated his personal library to the University. In recognition of contributions and years of service, the Boomer Lecture Series was named in his honour.
Boomer was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and of the Chemical Institute of Canada, serving the latter as a councillor. Western Canadian Advisor (1940) of the Allied War Supplies Commission and a member (1945) of the Association of Professional Engineers of Alberta, he was also chairman (1943) of the Alberta Oil and Gas Conservation Board, commissioner of the Natural Gas Utilities Board of Alberta, and a member of the British Oil Commission in Occupied Germany.
Boomer passed away October 27, 1945 in Edmonton, Alberta.