Dr.
A.P. Black
An Environmental Engineering Scientist
His Contributions to Water
Chemistry
Written by
Mathew D. Guerrie, M.E. and
Joseph J. Delfino, Ph.D., Professor
Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences 2002
Introduction
Alvin Percy (A.P.) Black was born in Blossom, Texas, on
August 30, 1895. He graduated from Paris High School in 1913 and
four years later was awarded a bachelor’s degree by
Southwestern University (Texas). After performing graduate work
at Harvard, he received his Ph.D. in water chemistry from the
University of Iowa.
He served in the Army during World War I. Upon discharge from
the Army in 1919, he came to the University of Florida, where
his initial position was as Assistant Professor of Chemical
Engineering. He held many subsequent positions throughout his
years of service at the university, including chairman of the
Department of Chemistry. After serving as a professor at the
University of Florida for 47 years, he retired on June 30, 1966
as Research Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Bioenvironmental
Engineering (the latter a predecessor of the current Department
of Environmental Engineering Sciences).
During his career, he was the major professor for over 50
master’s and doctoral graduates and the chairman of many major
University committees.
The Board of Regents honored Dr. Black by attaching his name to
the 38,000 square foot building constructed in 1967 that was
designed to house the Department of Environmental Engineering
Sciences.
Dr. Black was the principal or contributing author of over 200
technical papers and received many awards for his outstanding
contributions. He served on the editorial boards of several
publications in the water works and public health fields.
He was a key member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA)
from 1929 until his death in 1980, serving as vice president in
1948 - 49 and as president from 1949 - 1950. Dr. Black served as
president of the Florida Public Health Association in 1944 and
president of the Southern Association of Science and Industry in
1954. He also served the Federal government as a consultant to
the Office of Saline Water of the U.S. Department of the
Interior.
Countless awards in the water field were bestowed on Dr. Black,
including the Fuller Award, the Goodell Prize, the Water
Purification Division Award, and the Diven Medal. His research
in the area of water quality and treatment resulted in many
major contributions to the field. This was recognized by the
AWWA when they designated him as the first recipient of their
A.P. Black Research Award in 1968.
Dr. Black was exceptionally successful in the private sector,
serving as a consultant to many international, national, and
state organizations concerned with water quality, water
treatment, and public health. He founded Black Laboratories,
which later became Black, Crow, and Eidsness, Consulting
Engineers. The company eventually became a part of CH2M Hill, a
major international consulting firm.
He served four terms as a member of the College of Electors of
the Hall of Fame for Great Americans and was listed in numerous
reference books, including Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who
in Engineering, and American Men of Science. He was a member of
many social and honorary societies, including Alpha Tau Omega,
Alpha Chi Sigma, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Alpha Zeta, Phi Kappa Phi,
Sigma Tau, Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi, Gamma Sigma Epsilon, and
Florida Blue Key. He died on February 23, 1980 at the age of 84.
Chemistry
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