Lester was born in the South Side, Chicago, when schools were still segregated.[1][2] After World War II his family moved and he enrolled at a high school that had previously been only for white people.[3] Lester secured a scholarship,endowed by a former librarian from his Calumet High School, which allowed him to attend the University of Chicago.[2]
He completed his bachelor's degree in chemistry, before which he had secured a part-time research position in the Laboratory of Molecular Structure and Spectra. The lab was based in the department of physics, which was directed by future Nobel laureate Robert S. Mulliken.[2] These interactions prompted him to focus on molecular quantum mechanics. He was supported by Henry Taube to pursue a master's degree, which he completed under the supervision of Stuart A. Rice.[2]
At the Catholic University of America he carried out doctoral research on the molecular orbital structure of H3+.[4] During his studies, Lester became affiliated with the National Bureau of Standards— which later became the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)— where he spent nearly three years as a physical chemist.[5][6]
Lester's research made use of computational chemistry to understand the electronic structures of molecules.[2] He primarily used the Monte Carlo method. His group developed the matrix elements that connected various electronic states.[2]
Awards and honors
In 1957, Lester was awarded the University of Chicago Stagg Medal for scholarship, athletics and excellence of character.[8]
In 2019 the Association of Top Professionals recognized Lester's distinguished career with a Lifetime Achievement Award.[11][12][13]
In 2020, the Chemistry Department at the University of California, Berkeley, established a lectureship in honor of Lester. The university stated, "The lectureship is intended to welcome distinguished underrepresented minority (URM) scholars to present their research and engage in discourse about their experiences and challenges of becoming scientists." In 2024, the lecturer was Mexican-American chemist Alán Aspuru-Guzik, who had earned his doctoral degree under Lester's guidance.[14][15]
Lester played college basketball. His sporting efforts are honored at the University of Chicago, where he is recognized as the first player to score over one thousand points, and the only player in UC history to average over twenty five points per game in a season.[16]
Lester had two children, including professional race car driver Bill Lester.[3][17]
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