Williams, Edward G.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Edward G. Williams, industrial chemist at New Orleans, is a recognized authority on the technical processes involved in cotton seed oil manufacture.

He was born at New Orleans, November 15, 1887, son of Edward A. and Marion (James) Williams. His father, who died in 1918, was for nearly twenty years secretary of the Orleans Parish School Board. The son was educated at New Orleans, attending the Boy's High School, and in 1908 graduated front Tulane University, where he specialized in chemistry. For fifteen years his experience has made him familiar with many phases of industrial chemistry, though particularly with vegetable oil manufacturing. From the point of view of the chemist he is also an expert on cotton seed oil crushing machinery. Mr. Williams maintains a completely equipped laboratory for his work in the Title Guarantee Building, New Orleans. His work is mainly along the lines of efficient control of vegetable oil manufacturing plants, particularly those producing cotton seed oil, peanut oil and cocoanut oil, he has been technical advisor on subjects of mechanical equipment for a number of such industrial plants over the South. During the World war be erected at New Orleans a plant for the recovery of vegetable oils for glycerin and fats used for the manufacture of explosives, being given the entire responsibility of purchasing and installing the machinery, and superintending production in the plant.

Mr. Williams was instrumental in forming a special course in industrial chemistry in the night high school of New Orleans, primarily for the benefit of employees of local industrial plants. For about eight years he taught this special course in chemistry. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemistry, a member of the American Chemical Society, is serving as referee chemist for the American Oil Chemist Society, is a member of the Interstate Cotton Seed Crushers Association, of the Louisiana Engineers Society, and of the Louisiana and University Clubs.

NOTE: A signed photograph/painting accompanies this narrative in the referenced source.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 163, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.