Fangxun Li (; Fang-Hsuin Lee) (1902-1962) was a Chinese chemist, specializing in

physical chemistry Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic and microscopic phenomena in chemical systems in terms of the principles, practices, and concepts of physics such as motion, energy, force, time, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, statistical mecha ...

. He worked as a researcher, teacher, and administrator, and was the first vice president of

Nanjing University Nanjing University (NJU; ) is a national public research university in Nanjing, Jiangsu. It is a member of C9 League and a Class A Double First Class University designated by the Chinese central government. NJU has two main campuses: the Xianl ...

after its merger with the University of Nanking in 1952. He was one of the founding members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which was created in 1955. Li got his bachelor's degree in 1925 from the University of Nanking. He then traveled to the United States and obtained his PhD in 1934 at

Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Charte ...

. He studied the influence of dipolar ions on the solubility of salts, molar polarization and radius-ratio of ions. Having returned to the University of Nanking in 1934, he invited Choh Hao Li, who had recently obtained his Bachelor degree, to collaborate on a project; this led to a paper in the ''Journal of the American Chemical Society'', and inspired Choh Hao Li to pursue graduate studies in the United States. He was given an

honorary Degree An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''ad hono ...

(Doctor of Science) in 1948 by Northwestern University. The citation is: His work was included in "Science Outpost", edited by

Joseph Needham Noel Joseph Terence Montgomery Needham (; 9 December 1900 – 24 March 1995) was a British biochemist, historian of science and sinologist known for his scientific research and writing on the history of Chinese science and technology, in ...

Awards, honors and fellowships

* 1947 – Member of the council of the Chinese Chemical Society * 1948 –

honorary doctorate An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''ad hon ...

* 1952 – Vice president,

* 1955 – Member, Chinese Academy of Sciences * 1957 – Member, Member of the Scientific Planning Committee of the State Council * 1959 – Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

References

{{authority control University of Nanking alumni Chinese physical chemists 1902 births 1962 deaths Northwestern University alumni Chinese expatriates in the United States Nanjing University faculty 20th-century chemists Scientists from Jiangsu 20th-century Chinese scientists Members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences