The scientist who helped develop the atom bomb was a renaissance thinker at UK
Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history - some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.
Jan. 19, 1882: William Snyder Webb, University of Kentucky administrator and developer on the atom bomb, is born in Fayette County.
Webb was an educator, a scientist, an anthropologist and a linguist who the university calls “one of the most versatile persons ever to be affiliated with the University.”
Between 1909 and 1914, Webb worked for the Government Land Office of Seminole Nation Culture as the secretary of the commander of what is now Oklahoma. There he learned about American Indians, became fluent in the Seminole language and was considered the national authority on prehistoric periods of Kentucky and the Tennessee River Valley.
He also worked at the University of Kentucky as an assistant professor of physics. According to the university, Webb applied to teach physics at the school when he was only 20 years old. Told he was too young, he went to Cumberland College and taught physics there for a year.
He came back to UK to teach physics in 1914. By 1915, he was promoted to chairman of the department. Webb would teach physics at the university until he retired in 1953.
Between 1927 and 1952, Webb was also the chairman of the archaeology and anthropology department, and taught classes in Greek, as well.
During World War I, Webb enlisted with the 84th Infantry, rising to the rank of major. After the war, he remained active in the reserve for 15 years.
During World War II, he was called to Washington, D.C., to serve on the planning committee for the development of the atomic bomb and helped to mobilize a team of 4,000 scientists and specialized personnel for the War Manpower Board.
During his lifetime, Webb also served as a member of the board of trustees of Lees Junior College in Jackson, Ky.; and of the Sayre School in Lexington.
He died on Feb. 14, 1964, having left teaching in 1953, but remaining an avid researcher until he passed away.
This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 4:00 AM.
