In Memoriam

Peter Roughley Griffiths, among the most influential figures in modern infrared and vibrational spectroscopy, died on August 29, 2026, at the age of 84. A pioneering scientist, distinguished educator, prolific author, and generous mentor, he played a central role in establishing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a practical and widely adopted analytical technique. His professional achievements were matched by a personal legacy defined by intellectual curiosity, collegiality, warmth, and devotion to family, students, and colleagues.

Born in Surrey, during World War II and raised near Guildford, England, Griffiths developed an early interest in chemistry through school science clubs and independent experimentation. He later attended St. John’s College, Oxford, where he earned both his bachelor’s degree and doctorate in physical chemistry, began his career in spectroscopy, and was also active in university athletics, including rugby and cricket.

Following his doctoral studies, Griffiths moved to the United States for postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland with Ellis R. Lippincott. That association remained significant throughout his career and was reflected decades later in his receipt of the Ellis R. Lippincott Award in Molecular Spectroscopy in 2023. His subsequent work at Digilab and Sadtler Research Laboratories placed him at the forefront of commercial FT-IR instrumentation and helped establish a career that integrated academic research, instrumentation, method development, and applied analytical chemistry.

Griffiths joined Ohio University in 1972 and was named a Distinguished Professor eight years later. It was at Ohio University that his research group garnered the name of the FT-GUYS. He subsequently held an appointment at the University of California, Riverside, and in 1989 became chair of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Idaho, where he remained until his retirement in 2008. Over the course of his academic career, he supervised 52 doctoral students and was widely recognized for his ability to communicate complex spectroscopic principles with clarity and practical relevance.

His scientific contributions were broad, influential, and enduring. He advanced FT-IR spectroscopy, diffuse-reflection methods, chromatographic interfaces, open-path atmospheric measurements, Raman and near-infrared applications, wavelength standards, spectral interpretation, and quantitative analysis including the use of multivariate and neural network approaches for data analysis. Across these areas, Griffiths helped transform emerging spectroscopic methods into practical tools for chemistry, materials science, environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, and industrial process monitoring.

Griffiths was also a highly productive author and editor. He wrote or coauthored more than 300 refereed papers as well as numerous books and book chapters. Among his most significant contributions was Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry, coauthored by James A. de Haseth, which became a standard reference for the field. He also coedited, with John Chalmers, the five-volume Handbook of Vibrational Spectroscopy, a major work reflecting the scope and maturity of vibrational spectroscopy as a discipline.

His honors reflected the breadth of his influence, including the Coblentz Award, the Ellis R. Lippincott Award, election as an Optica Fellow, the University of Idaho Honorary Doctor of Science, the Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award, Honorary Membership awards from both the Coblentz Society and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, and additional major recognitions from spectroscopy and analytical chemistry organizations. He served as president of both the Coblentz Society (1977-1978) and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy (1994). He served on several editorial boards, including more than 30 years with Applied Spectroscopy. He was an Associate Editor of that journal from 1981 to 2009, the Editor-in-Chief from 2009 to 2012 and the Editor from 2012 to 2018.  During his time at Applied Spectroscopy much of the groundwork for the evolution of Applied Spectroscopy to its current position took place. His encyclopedic knowledge of the field and attention to precision and nomenclature are well recognized by his editorial colleagues and reviewers.

While his publications and research contributions are well documented, he also was a dedicated teacher.  For many years, he was one of the instructors at FT-IR short courses at international conferences, and he taught a week-long course on the interpretation of IR and Raman spectra for over 30 years.  Through these activities he reached, encouraged, and formed new practitioners of spectroscopy.

Outside his professional life, Griffiths was deeply devoted to his family and community. He married Marie Burns in 1971, and together they raised two daughters, Siân Bethany Griffiths and Megan Claire Griffiths. Marie was an important partner throughout his career and was remembered with affection by many of his students and colleagues. Following Marie’s death in 2016, Griffiths shared a companionship with Beverly Kramer until she passed away in 2024.

In his final years, Griffiths faced significant health challenges, including diabetes, kidney disease requiring dialysis, and a stroke that prevented him from traveling to the 2023 SciX conference to receive the Lippincott Award in person. Assisted by his daughter Megan, he recorded some planned remarks, and gave, as a plenary lecture, his reminiscences on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the FACSS organization and its conference now called SciX.  As part of the same plenary, he accepted the Lippincott honor virtually and in his words from the program “selection as this year’s Lippincott Awardee represents a marvelous way to ride off into the sunset”. In 2025, the president of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy reached out to Griffiths to ask if he would allow the Society to establish an award in his honor. He agreed and insisted on contributing to the endowment of this new award.  The award is called “The Society for Applied Spectroscopy’s  Peter Griffiths Award and was presented for the first time in 2026 by the journal Applied Spectroscopy Practica.  In August 2026, after a period of declining health, he chose to discontinue dialysis and entered hospice care with peace and clarity.

Peter R. Griffiths leaves an enduring legacy in the scientific literature, in the analytical methods and instruments shaped by his work, and in the many students and colleagues who benefited from his mentorship. The history of modern infrared spectroscopy is inseparable from his contributions, and his memory will endure among those who knew him as a scholar, teacher, mentor, colleague, father, and friend.

When his daughters shared the news that he had entered hospice care, tributes arrived from family members, former students, colleagues, schoolmates, teammates, and friends around the world. They reflected not only his exceptional scientific stature but also his humility, humor, generosity, curiosity, and kindness. These messages provided a powerful testament to the breadth of his influence, his leadership capabilities recognized by his peers in his school days, and the depth of the relationships he cultivated throughout his life.

Following his passing Megan and Sian shared the following with his friends and colleagues regarding the tributes and messages received in the prior two weeks and his reaction.

“Wow, I never thought I had so many friends and colleagues. I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the wonderful thoughts and words you have all shared.

I hope you realize how much everybody means to me. Thank you all so much.

Peter”
I think leaving the last word of this tribute to Peter himself might have brought a smile to his face.

Ian R. Lewis
FT-GUYS Post-doc (1993-1996, University of Idaho)

Spectroscopy Tribute to the amazing life’s work of Peter R. Griffiths:
https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/peter-r-griffiths-1942-2026-a-life-devoted-to-infrared-and-vibrational-spectroscopy

Obituary and service live streaming information:
https://www.lindquistmortuary.com/obituaries/peter-griffiths