Francis Parkman Coffin (April 5, 1880 – August 19, 1956) was an American electrical engineering pioneer. He was a leader in research and development for the General Electric Corporation.
Francis Parkman Coffin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Francis Parkman Coffin April 5, 1880 Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | August 19, 1956 (aged 76) Schenectady, New York, U.S. |
| Education | St. Paul's Harvard |
| Occupation | Electrical Engineer |
| Spouse |
Miriam Gage (m. 1920) |
| Children | Francis Parkman Coffin Jr. (b. 1921) Rosamond (Coffin) Hopkins (1926–1963) Lucy (Coffin) Jamison (b. 1923) |
| Parent(s) | Charles Pratt Coffin (1854–1927) Grace Parkman (1851–1928) |
| Relatives | Francis Parkman Charles Coffin |
Early life and education
editCoffin was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, to Charles Pratt Coffin and Grace Parkman, daughter of historian Francis Parkman.[1][2] His father was first cousin of General Electric co-founder Charles Coffin. He was educated at the St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, and graduated from Harvard College in 1902.[3]
Career
editCoffin joined General Electric shortly after graduation. He worked at GE for the duration of his career, first in the testing department and then in the Research Laboratory. For several years, he worked on the pioneer development of the iron mercury arc rectifier. Later, he worked on methods of generating power from coal more efficiently, and co-authored a book on the subject, Pulverized coal systems in America.[4] He also conducted experimental studies of the properties and limitations of various types of steel for use in mercury boilers and steam turbines at high pressures and temperatures.[2][5][6]
Coffin was an active conservationist, and became an authority on the studies of botany, geology, and anthropology. He was a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. He died on August 19, 1956, in Schenectady, New York, at age 76.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Obituary: Francis Parkman Coffin" Archived 2014-09-01 at archive.today. Alumni Horae Volume 36, Issue 3, Page 212, Obituaries 2 Autumn 1956
- ^ a b c Obituary, Schenectady Gazette, 20 August 1956, retrieved 2012-05-26
- ^ Class of 1902 Report. Harvard College. June 1937.
- ^ "Pulverized coal systems in America", WorldCat.
- ^ "LOW-PRESSURE STEAM-GENERATOR". Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office. The Office. 1914. p. 1243.
- ^ "Mercury Rectifyer". United States. Patent Office (1912). Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office. U.S. Patent Office. p. 300.