William H. Nichols

William Henry Nichols (January 9, 1852 – February 21, 1930) was an American chemist and businessman.

The specialty materials business of Honeywell traces its roots back to a small sulfuric acid company he started in 1870.

Under his leadership, the company grew its asset base and increased its earnings threefold, making Nichols a force in America’s fledgling chemical industry.

During World War I, he served as chairman of the Chemicals Committee of the Council of National Defense.

Nichols is rumored to have once emptied vats of excess sulfuric acid into the creek rather than sell it cheaply to a businessman he had no respect for.

The William H. Nichols Medal Award is given each year by the New York Section of the American Chemical Society.

Nichols himself first established an award in 1902, making it the first gold medal for original chemical research.

Since the first award on January 9, 1903, the American Chemical Society's New York Section has named 97 Nichols Medalists.