# George Andrew Olah

> Hungarian chemist (1927-2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q192603](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192603)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Andrew_Olah)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/george-andrew-olah

## Summary
George Andrew Olah was a Hungarian-American chemist and university teacher, born in 1927 and deceased in 2017, who made significant contributions to the fields of hydrocarbon chemistry and alternative fuels. He is best known for receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, along with numerous other prestigious international awards, recognizing his impact on the scientific community. His academic career was marked by affiliations with major institutions, including the University of Southern California and Case Western Reserve University.

## Biography
- **Born:** May 22, 1927
- **Nationality:** Hungarian, United States
- **Education:** Budapest University of Technology and Economics
- **Known for:** Contributions to hydrocarbon or petroleum chemistry and innovation in alternative fuels for transportation
- **Employer(s):** University of Southern California, Case Western Reserve University
- **Field(s):** Chemistry

## Contributions
George Andrew Olah's primary contributions lie in the advancement of hydrocarbon and petroleum chemistry, a field for which the American Chemical Society confers an award bearing his name. His work extended to the innovation of alternative fuels for transportation, earning him the Eric and Sheila Samson Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation in Alternative Fuels for Transportation. As a university teacher and researcher, he contributed to the academic community through his roles at institutions such as the University of Southern California and Case Western Reserve University. His body of work was recognized globally, culminating in the receipt of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

## FAQs
**What awards did George Andrew Olah receive?**
He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Priestley Medal, the Arthur C. Cope Award, the Széchenyi Prize, the Order of the Rising Sun, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Chemical Pioneer Award, among others.

**Where did George Andrew Olah receive his education?**
Olah was educated at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

**With which universities was George Andrew Olah affiliated?**
He was affiliated with the University of Southern California, Case Western Reserve University, and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

**What were George Andrew Olah's main areas of research?**
His work focused on hydrocarbon or petroleum chemistry and the innovation of alternative fuels for transportation.

**What honorary titles did George Andrew Olah hold?**
He held honorary doctorates from the Ohio State University and the University of Montpellier-II, and was named an honorary citizen of Budapest.

## Why They Matter
George Andrew Olah matters because his research earned the highest recognition in science, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, validating the importance of his contributions to hydrocarbon and petroleum chemistry. His work in alternative fuels for transportation positioned him as a key figure in the search for sustainable energy solutions. The establishment of the "George A. Olah Award in Hydrocarbon or Petroleum Chemistry" by the American Chemical Society signifies his lasting legacy and influence on future generations of chemists. His career, spanning both Hungarian and American institutions, highlights his role in bridging international scientific communities.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry:** Recipient of the prestigious international award.
- **Priestley Medal:** Recipient of this major American award in chemistry.
- **Arthur C. Cope Award:** Recipient of this American Chemical Society award.
- **Széchenyi Prize:** Recipient of this Hungarian award.
- **Order of the Rising Sun:** Recipient of this Japanese order.
- **Guggenheim Fellowship:** Recipient of the grant for arts and scholarship.
- **Chemical Pioneer Award:** Recognized for outstanding contributions to advances in chemistry.
- **George A. Olah Award:** The American Chemical Society confers an award in his name for hydrocarbon or petroleum chemistry.
- **Alternative Fuels Innovation:** Recipient of the Eric and Sheila Samson Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation in Alternative Fuels for Transportation.
- **Honorary Doctorates:** Received honorary degrees from the Ohio State University and the University of Montpellier-II.
- **Honorary Citizenship:** Named an honorary citizen of Budapest.

## Body
### Identity and Background
George Andrew Olah, also known by the aliases George Olah, George A. Olah, Oláh György, and Oláh András György, was a human male born on May 22, 1927. He held citizenship in both Hungary and the United States. His life and work were centered in the field of chemistry, where he operated as both a chemist and a university teacher until his death on March 8, 2017.

### Education and Academic Affiliations
Olah's educational foundation was established at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. His professional career was closely tied to prominent academic institutions. He served as a university teacher and researcher at the University of Southern California, a private university in Los Angeles, and Case Western Reserve University, a private university in Ohio. His affiliation with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics persisted as a significant part of his academic background.

### Research and Focus
The specific focus of Olah's scientific inquiry included hydrocarbon or petroleum chemistry. This area of expertise was significant enough that the American Chemical Society established the "George A. Olah Award in Hydrocarbon or Petroleum Chemistry" in recognition of outstanding contributions in this domain. Additionally, his work impacted the sector of transportation through innovation in alternative fuels, leading to him receiving The Eric and Sheila Samson Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation in Alternative Fuels for Transportation.

### Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Olah accumulated a vast array of recognitions from global scientific and governmental bodies.
*   **International Science Awards:** He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the Centenary Prize granted by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
*   **National and Regional Honors:** He received the Széchenyi Prize in Hungary and the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan.
*   **Professional Society Awards:** His accolades from the American Chemical Society included the Priestley Medal, the Arthur C. Cope Award, and the Tolman Award conferred by the Southern California Section. He also received the Chemical Pioneer Award.
*   **Fellowships and Memberships:** He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship.
*   **Civic and Academic Honors:** He was named an honorary citizen of Budapest and received honorary doctorates from the Ohio State University and the University of Montpellier-II in France.

### Legacy
George Andrew Olah's legacy is defined by the enduring recognition of his work through major awards and the specific honors named after him. His dual nationality and career trajectory illustrate a transatlantic contribution to science. His passing in 2017 marked the end of a career that significantly influenced petroleum chemistry and alternative fuel research.

## References

1. [Meghalt Oláh György Nobel-díjas kémikus. 2017](http://index.hu/tudomany/2017/03/09/meghalt_olah_gyorgy_nobel-dijas_kemikus/)
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6. [Priestley Medal](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding-and-awards/awards/national/bytopic/priestley-medal.html)
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14. [Source](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/george-olah-award-in-hydrocarbon-or-petroleum-chemistry/past-recipients.html)
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24. [George Oláh, Nobel Prize Winning Hungarian-American Chemist, Dies at 89. 2017](http://hungarytoday.hu/news/olah-gyorgy-nobel-prize-awarded-hungarian-american-chemist-dies-aged-89-56604)
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