Lloyd N. Ferguson (1918-2011) writes to Henry McBay (1914-1995) to express his interest in McBay's recent publication in the Journal of Organic Chemistry, Reactions of Atoms and Free Radicals (1945). Ferguson wishes to learn more about McBay's research interests to determine if he would be a good fit for a position in the chemistry department of Howard University.

Ferguson was an organic chemist with a vast output of research publications including authorship of seven chemistry textbooks and more than fifty research papers. Ferguson chaired the Chemistry Department at Howard University. He was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Among his numerous contributions to the field of organic chemistry, Ferguson founded the first doctoral program in chemistry at a Historically Black College or University while at Howard, and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers in 1972.