Dr. Elinor M. Kartzmark
Dr. Elinor Mary Kartzmark was not only a very successful science educator and researcher, she was also the first female professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Manitoba. Elinor was born in Selkirk, Manitoba and grew up in the nearby community of St. Andrews. Her early years of education were spent at the St. Andrews School. In 1943, she spent a year teaching at Sunrise School in Mapleton.
Following the end of her time as a teacher at Sunrise School, she went to Winnipeg where she enrolled at the University of Manitoba for higher education. She always had a passion for literature and science, but ultimately made the decision to study science, specializing in chemistry. She completed her Bachelor of Science in 1949 under the supervision of Dr. Alan N. Campbell, an established research chemist in the Department of Chemistry. She subsequently completed her Master of Science in 1950 and Doctor of Philosophy in 1952 (Thesis: The Conductances of Strong Solutions of Strong Electrolytes) all under the supervision of Dr. Campbell. She began teaching chemistry as a teaching assistant in 1949, followed by a sessional lectureship from 1950-1952.
At completion of her PhD, Dr. Kartzmark accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Chemistry in 1952, where she continued researching and subsequently co-authoring 35 publications alongside Dr. Campbell. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 1958 and subsequently Professor of Chemistry in 1980, and held this position until her retirement. Throughout her career, she maintain quite a heavy load. She lectured 8 hours a week, conducted two three hour laboratory sections a week, and ran her own research laboratory. She remains an inspiration to all young and old scientists alike.
Sources:
Ainley, M.G., Rayner-Canham, M.F., Rayner-Canham, G. (2012). Created Complicated Lives: Women and Science at English-Canadian Universities, 1880-1980.
Obituary: https://www.gilbartfuneralhome.com/notices/Elinor-Kartzmark
Photo Source: Department of Chemistry
Select Publications:
Studies in Partial Miscibility: The Systems Triethylamine-sulfoxide-methylethylketone and Triethylamine-formamide-methylethylketone
Campbell, A.N. & Kartzmark, E.M. (1981). Studies in partial miscibility: the systems trimethylamine-sulfoxide-methylethylketone and trimethylamine-formamide-methylethylketone. Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 59(20), 2953-2956.
Abstract:
The systems triethylamine-methylethylketone-dimethylsulfoxide and trimethylamine-methylethylketone-foramide have been studied by the methods of isothermal equilibrium and thermal analysis. At least in the case of the system trimethylamine-methylethyl-ketone-dimethylsulfoxide, the equilibrium conditions have been completely established with respect to concentration and temperature. From these data a solid model can be constructed, as was previously done for the system nicotine-water-methylethylketone. It appears that the miscibility is greater in the system involving dimethylsulfoxide than in the system involving formamide.
The System Indium Trichloride – Pyridine and Indium Trichloride-Pyridine-Water: quilibrium Diagrams and Heat of Formation of InCl3.3C5H5N
Kartzmark, E.M. (1975). The Systems Indium Trichloride-Pyridine and Indium Trichloride-Pyridine-Water: Equilibrium Diagrams and Heat of Formation of InCl3.3C5H5N. Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 53(20), 2995-2997.
Abstract:
The equilibrium diagram of the system indium trichloride-pyridine-water, at 25⁰C, shows the existence of two compounds, InCl3.3C5H5N.2H2O and InCl3.3C5H5N. The melting point diagram shows that the compound InCl3.3C5H5N melts incongruently at 242⁰C. The heat of reaction
InCl3 + 3C5H5N → InCl3.3C5H5N
is ΔH = -34.6 kcal/mol and the heat of formation of InCl3.3C5H5N is -137.0 kcal.mol.
Sources: Left – Department of Chemistry; Right – Archives of Manitoba, School Inspector Photographs, GR8461, C131-1, page 1.
