William Barrow (chemist)

[3] With this device, Barrow developed a process for laminating brittle documents between tissue and cellulose acetate film, as well as a highly effective means of deacidifying paper.

He was also involved in other investigations connected with paper and ink for a period of more than 30 years, and was probably the most important single contributor to the knowledge of methods of achieving permanence and durability of archival materials.

William Barrow had a thorough knowledge of both library and archival practices, a long record of published research, and a command of his technical specialty.

[6] Before the 1850s, linen and cotton rag were the primary material source for papermaking, but a shortage drove the market to develop the notoriously acidic wood-pulp alternative.

Barrow published an article in the 1930s that introduced librarians, archivists, and other restorers to chemical means of controlling the acid deterioration of paper.

The delay in addressing these issues could be largely due to the onset of the Depression, and the following paper-hungry war which pushed the acid paper problem to the back of scientists' minds.

For example, his tests to accelerate the natural aging of paper samples at elevated temperatures have since proven to be erroneous,[8] and modern scholars doubt his importance as an original chemical researcher.

[4] In this article, Barrow documented the findings of some physical tests performed in the Rare Book Room of the Virginia State Library.

[5] Although Barrow never completed his undergraduate education, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, Randolph-Macon College, a year before his death.