[1][2][3] Chandler's mother was a teacher from New York, and Chandler's father was the first Black graduate of Bates College in Maine who was an early African American lawyer, Florida state senator, and Republican Party Delegate.

[2] After completing high school, Chandler attended Teachers' College of Howard University where he received his A.B.

[4] His master thesis was titled On the dynamics of ester hydrolosis [sic] by acids.

[9] After completing his Ph.D., he worked in the dye firm of Dicks, David and Heller Company until 1921.

In 1924 Chandler left Abbott to become a consulting chemist in Lake County, Illinois.