Harry Berst Mark Jr. was born in Camden, New Jersey in 1934. He earned degrees in chemistry from the University of Virginia (B.A.) and Duke University (Ph.D.). Mark then pursued his interests in analytical chemistry and electrochemistry as a postdoctoral fellow with Charles N. Reilley at the University of North Carolina and then Fred Anson at the California Institute of Technology. Mark began his academic career in 1963 with a faculty position at the University of Michigan. In 1970 he was recruited as a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati where he spent the rest of his career. He was a visiting Professor at Wuhan University, China and Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
A man of wide interests, Mark made substantial contributions in numerous areas of chemistry: spectroeletrochemistry, conducting polymer electrodes, kinetics as applied to analytical chemistry, polarography, electrochemistry of vitamin B12, instrumentation in analytical chemistry, surface chemistry of activated carbon, and humic acid chemistry. Fifty‐two graduate students and 42 postdoctoral associates studied in his laboratory. He published over 300 articles in refereed scientific journals and coauthored/coedited 14 books. These books include an 8‐volume series on Computers in Chemistry and Instrumentation, Kinetics in Analytical Chemistry, Activated Carbon, and Conducting Polymers and Polymer Electrodes. He gave over 200 talks at scientific meetings including numerous invited plenary lectures worldwide. Mark served on the editorial/advisory boards of Analytical Letters, Chemical Instrumentation. Talanta, Analytical Chemistry, and Interface. He was regional editor of the Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry. He was a member of the IUPAC Commission on Analytical Nomenclature, Alpha Chi Sigma, American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemists, Comite International de Thermodynamique et de Cinetique Electrochimies, Electrochemical Society, New York Academy of Science, Society of Applied Spectroscopy, Western Electroanalytical Theoretical Society, Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry, and the International Society of Electrochemistry.
In recognition of his many accomplishments Mark received the Medaillé d'Hommage from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, ACS Cincinnati Chemist of the Year, George Rieveschl Jr. Award for Distinguished Scientific Research, Technical Societies of Cincinnati Distinguished Scientist Award, and the McMicken Dean's Award for Research and Scholarship. He was an elected Graduate Fellow of the University of Cincinnati.
Mark had a wide range of activities and interests. He drove Sprint cars and Midgets on the US Auto Club circuit 1963 to 1975 and was on the USAC Technical committee 1975–1977. A lover of automobiles, his personal cars included Maseratis and a Ferrari. Mark was an international expert on antique Colt firearms. He published five papers on pre‐civil war firearms and had an excellent Colt pocket pistol collection.
An electrochemist and analytical chemist of international repute, Mark's passion for travel led him to frequent international conferences where he enjoyed discussing science and socializing with colleagues and friends. He especially liked coming to ESEAC meetings in Europe.
William R. Heineman
Guest Editor