Thomas Anderson (chemist)
- Thomas Anderson (chemist)
Thomas Anderson (2 July 1819 – 2 November 1874) was a Scottish chemist who is best remembered for discovering pyridine.[G. F. Rodwell, ‘Anderson, Thomas (1819–1874)’, rev. T. B. Anderson, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/500 doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/500] ] ]Born in Edinburgh, Anderson was educated at Leith High School and the Edinburgh Academy before studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh, from where he graduated in 1841. Having developed an interest in chemistry at university, he spent several years studying in Europe, including spells under Jöns Jakob Berzelius and Justus von Liebig, before returning to Edinburgh.
After working at the University of Edinburgh and the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, Anderson succeeded Thomas Thomson as regius professor of chemistry at the University of Glasgow in 1852. The following year his work on alkaloids led him to discover the correct structure for codeine. [The crystalline constituents of opium, Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 20, 1853, 347–75] Later he discovered pyridine and related compounds such as picoline through studies on the distillation of bone-oil and other animal matter. [The products of the destructive distillation of animal substances Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 25, 1868, 205–16]
As well as his work on organic chemistry, Anderson made important contributions to agricultural chemistry, writing over 130 reports on soils, fertilisers and plant diseases. He kept abreast of all areas of science, and was able to advise his colleague Joseph Lister on Pasteur's germ theory and the use of carbolic acid as an antiseptic.
In 1872, Anderson was awarded a Royal Medal from the Royal Society. However, his later years were marred by a progressive neurological disease which may have been syphilis.[G. F. Rodwell, ‘Anderson, Thomas (1819–1874)’, rev. T. B. Anderson, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/500 doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/500] ] He resigned his chair in early 1874, and died later that year in Chiswick. ]References
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Thomas Anderson — may refer to:*Neo (The Matrix), named Thomas A. Anderson, the central character from The Matrix *Thomas David Anderson (1853 1932), Scottish astronomer *Thomas J. Anderson (1910 2001), conservative author and farmer from Tennessee *Thomas… … Wikipedia
Thomas Peter Anderson Stuart — Sir Thomas Peter Anderson Stuart (20 June 1856 – 29 February 1920) was a Scottish born physiologist, founder of medical school, University of Sydney.Early lifeStuart was born in Dumfries, Scotland. His father, Alexander Stuart, was a well known… … Wikipedia
Thomas Edward Thorpe — Sir Thomas Edward Thorpe (8 December 1845 ndash; 23 February 1925) was a British chemist.Born in Harpurhey, near Manchester, Thorpe originally worked as a clerk, but in 1863 began working as an assistant to Henry Roscoe, a professor of chemistry… … Wikipedia
STUART, Sir Thomas Peter Anderson (1856-1920) — physiologist, founder of medical school, university of Sydney was born at Dumfries, Scotland, on 20 June 1856. His father, Alexander Stuart, was a well known business man in his town, a magistrate and a member of the town council. His mother,… … Dictionary of Australian Biography
Pyridine — Pyridine … Wikipedia
List of University of Glasgow people — The following List of Alumni and Faculty of the University of Glasgow provides a selection of the well known people who have studied or taught at the University of Glasgow since its inception in 1451.The list should be alphabetical within the… … Wikipedia
List of University of Edinburgh people — is a list of notable graduates and former faculty of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. The University is associated with nine Nobel Prize winners (Source: http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/edinburgh/alumni.html)Politics and… … Wikipedia
List of Irish people — This is a list of famous Irish people.It covers * People who were born on the island of Ireland and/or who have lived there for most of their lives. * People who, though not necessarily ever having been born or lived in Ireland, have been raised… … Wikipedia
William Ramsay — Infobox Scientist name = William Ramsay image size = 180px birth date = birth date|1852|10|2|df=y birth place = Glasgow, Scotland nationality = Scotland death date = death date and age|1916|7|23|1852|10|2|df=y death place = High Wycombe, Bucks.,… … Wikipedia
Autodidacticism — (also autodidactism) is self education or self directed learning. An autodidact is a mostly self taught person, as opposed to learning in a school setting or from a tutor.A person may become an autodidact at nearly any point in his or her life.… … Wikipedia
