DUNCAN, ROBERT KENNEDY Ameri can chemist, was born near Brantford, Ont., Canada on Nov. 1, 1868. He graduated at the University of Toronto in 1892 ; studied at Clark university and later at Columbia university He taught physics and chemistry in New York and Pennsylvania high schools. From 1901 to 1906 he was professor of chemistry at Washington and Jefferson college. During parts of 1903, 1904 and 1907, he made special studies in Europe. In 1906, while attending the International Congress of Applied Chemistry in Rome, he conceived the idea of the industrial fellowship system. His plan was to assist American manufacturers in making their products in a scientific manner and to base their plans for efficient production upon scientific research. In 1907 he became professor of industrial chemistry at the University of Kansas, and the same year arranged for the establishment of the first industrial fellow ship. In 1910, his work at Kansas attracted attention in Pitts burgh, and he was made professor of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh and director of industrial research, which position he held until his death on Feb. 18, 1914. In March 1913, the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research of the University of Pitts burgh was founded by Andrew W. Mellon and Richard B. Mellon of Pittsburgh as a memorial to their father, Thomas Mellon, and also to Duncan. This placed the industrial fellowship system upon a permanent basis.
Duncan's works are noted for their high scientific accuracy. Among his more important books are : The New Knowledge (1905) ; The Chemistry of Commerce (190 7) , and Some Chemical Problems of To-day (1911).