Story Published: Mar 14, 2008 at 5:11 PM MDT
Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 1:20 PM MDT
Henry Eyring was a brilliant man who changed the science world. His grandson, Henry J. Eyring, is an administrator at BYU-Idaho and wrote the new book called Mormon Scientist: The Life and Father of Henry Eyring.
Henry J. Eyring, Author: "This is a book about a fellow who loved learning and who loved people."
For several years, Henry J. Eyring has considered writing the history of his grandfather. The young Eyring got the idea after speaking with one of his grandpa's neighbor and co-worker - LDS Apostle Neal A. Maxwell.
Eyring: "Elder Maxwell came to me twice and said, 'You need to write your grandfathers story.'"
The story is one of a man known for his contributions to science. Eyring came up with world changing ideas - like the absolute rate theory - which is a fundamental in science today.
He taught at the University of Utah and at Princeton...where he worked with Albert Einstein.
Eyring: "There's a funny story Grandpa likes to tell of how they were walking by some soybeans. Grandpa knew they were soybeans and kind of set Einstein up. He said, 'Do you know what these are?' Einstein said, 'No, I don't.' Grandpa liked to say it proved, in a way, Einstein didn't know beans."
Although he loved science, Eyring loved his LDS faith more. He stood up for it and fellow scientists believe it may have cost him the Nobel Prize.
Eyring: "The prize might have been his if it hadn't been for his having been so outspoken about his religious beliefs. I can't judge that."
Eyring loved being with people. One way he did it was holding yearly foot races. He, in his 70s, and his students, in their 20's, would meet on campus and race. Eyring always lost.
Eyring: "He loved being able able to associate with people as though he didn't know anymore than they do. The footraces I think were one way of disarming folks and saying hey this is just an ordinary fellow."
A documentary on the book will be shown on BYU TV between LDS General Conference sessions in April.
For more information on the documentary and the book, visit these websites:
Mormon Scientist Website
Deseret Book