 From 1868-69, he studied in Germany at the University of Heidelberg and in Berlin.After serving as Professor of Physics and Chemistry at Williams College from 1869–72, he returned to Yale, first as Professor of Molecular Physics and Chemistry until 1887.In 1883, Yale was able to open the first laboratory in the country dedicated to physics research (the Sloane Physics Laboratory) because of Wright's influence and friendship with Henry T. Sloane and Thomas C. Sloane, siblings and Yale alumni.