Elmer Samuel Imes, born on October 12, 1883, in Memphis, Tennessee, was a pioneering African-American physicist renowned for his significant contributions to infrared spectroscopy. He was the second African American to earn a Ph.D. in physics in the United States, following Edward Bouchet’s achievement in 1876.
Imes was the eldest of three sons born to Benjamin Albert Imes, a minister, and Elizabeth Wallace, who was born into slavery and later became a missionary. Both parents were alumni of Oberlin College in Ohio and worked as missionaries in the South.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in science at Fisk University in 1903. Afterward, he taught mathematics and physics at the Georgia Normal and Agricultural Institute (now Albany State University) and the Emerson Institute in Mobile, Alabama. In 1913, he returned to academia to pursue advanced studies, earning a master’s degree in physics from Fisk University in 1915.
In 1918, Imes obtained his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan under the mentorship of Harrison Randall. His doctoral research focused on high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of diatomic molecules, providing empirical evidence that supported quantum theory by demonstrating its applicability to molecular rotational and vibrational energy states. His work was one of the first to show that quantum mechanics could be applied to molecular energy levels, particularly in the rotational energy states of simple molecules. This discovery was crucial in refining early quantum theory and later played a key role in the development of modern molecular spectroscopy.
Following his doctoral studies, Imes faced limited opportunities in academia due to racial discrimination. Consequently, he worked as a research physicist and consultant in the private sector, contributing to advancements in infrared spectroscopy instrumentation. In 1930, he returned to Fisk University as a professor and chair of the physics department, where he mentored numerous African-American students and continued his research in infrared spectroscopy and magnetic materials.
Imes was married to Nella Larsen, a prominent novelist of the Harlem Renaissance, from 1919 until their divorce in 1933. He passed away on September 11, 1941, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer who overcame racial barriers to make significant scientific contributions and inspire future generations of African-American physicists. Ronald E. Mickens wrote a biography about his life and his contributions to physics called “Elmer Samuel Imes: Physicist, Educator, and Advocate”.