Frank Curry Mathers (February 11, 1881 – 1973), was an American physical chemist and university professor.
Mathers was granted a leave of absence (1905–1907) to work toward his 1907 Ph.D.[3] at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Mathers returned to Indiana University in 1907 as assistant professor of inorganic chemistry.
During the first World War, he was asked to come to Washington to prepare fluorine by Wilder Dwight Bancroft, then a Major in the Chemical Warfare Service.
A modification of his process was used to make fluorine for the preparation of uranium fluoride for the nuclear reactor.
William became ill with skin cancer in his final year at Indiana University, dying in September 1938.
It is after William that the Mathers Museum of World Cultures at Indiana University is named.