Van H. Manning (engineer)

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Van H. Manning
Manning, c. 1915
2nd Director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines
In office
1915–1920
Preceded byJoseph Austin Holmes
Succeeded byFrederick Gardner Cottrell
Personal details
Born
Vannoy Hartrog Manning

(1861-12-15)December 15, 1861
Horn Lake, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedJuly 13, 1932(1932-07-13) (aged 70)
Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
Resting placeOak Hill Cemetery,
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Spouse
Emily S. Stevens
​
(m. 1898)​
Children2
Parent
  • Van H. Manning (father)
RelativesLevi Manning (brother)
Alma materUniversity of Mississippi

Vannoy Hartrog Manning (December 15, 1861 – July 13, 1932), better known as Van H. Manning, was the second director of the

U.S. Bureau of Mines and was instrumental in developing chemical warfare defense technologies during World War I
.

Early life

Vannoy Hartrog Manning was born on December 15, 1861, in

Vannoy Hartrog Manning, a Mississippi congressman.[1][2][3] He attended school in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He attended University of Mississippi for three years, before moving back to Holly Springs to teach school.[3] Other sources suggest he graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Mississippi in 1881.[1][2] Afterward, he moved to Washington, D.C.[3]

Career

In 1885 or 1886, Manning joined the U.S. Geological Survey as a civil engineer and worked two years in Massachusetts. From 1888 to 1894, Manning led topographic field parties in Wisconsin and North Dakota. He then worked as assistant to the supervisor of the survey of Indian Territory. In 1904, he became section chief in charge of the survey in Missouri and Arkansas. In 1906, he was placed in charge of the southern section of the eastern division. In 1908, Manning led drainage work on the Tallahatchie River in Mississippi. From 1907 to 1910, he served on the Geological Survey Business Committee. In 1910, Manning was transferred to the newly formed U.S. Bureau of Mines; starting as chief clerk. His role was later renamed assistant to the director. Following the death of the first director Joseph Austin Holmes, Vanning became director in 1915 and served in that role until he resigned in May 1920.[1][2][3]

Manning worked with the

Chemical Warfare Service in World War I.[2][5] Manning argued that chemical production and research should remain under civilian control and not military, but President Wilson transferred 1,700 American chemists to the Chemical Warfare Service in June 1918.[5]

Following the war in 1920, Manning resigned his position as director of the Bureau of Mines to become director of research for the

1929 Wall Street Crash and ill health, Manning resigned from his position in 1930.[3]

Personal life

Mrs. Manning and mine rescue methods, c. 1917

Manning married Emily S. Stephens of Washington, D.C., in 1898 in Denison, Texas. Together, they had two sons: Van H. Manning Jr. and Oscar Stevens Manning.[1][2][3]

Manning died on July 13, 1932, at his home in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City. He was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C.[1][2]

Awards

Manning was given an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree by the University of Pittsburgh in 1919.[1]

References

  1. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  2. ^
    Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ^
    Archive.org
    .
  4. PMID 32514225
    .
  5. ^ a b c Gross, Daniel A. (Spring 2015). "Chemical Warfare: From the European Battlefield to the American Laboratory". Distillations. 1 (1): 16–23. Retrieved October 30, 2021.

External links

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