Walter Flight facts for kids

Walter Flight was an English scientist who lived from 1841 to 1885. He was a mineralogist, which means he studied minerals. Walter Flight was especially interested in meteorites. These are rocks that fall to Earth from space. He studied what meteorites were made of. He wrote many scientific papers about his discoveries. Flight also worked at important places like the British Museum. He also worked at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

Walter Flight's Early Life

Walter Flight was born in Winchester, England, on January 21, 1841. His father was William P. Flight. Walter went to school at Queenwood College in Hampshire. There, he learned chemistry from Professor Debus. He also studied physics with Professor Tyndall. Professor Debus became a lifelong friend.

After college, Walter Flight went to Germany. He studied chemistry at the University of Halle in 1863 and 1864. Then, he spent two years in Heidelberg. He became very good at chemistry there. His studies in Germany finished in Berlin. In Berlin, he worked for Professor Hofmann. He was a secretary and helped with chemistry experiments.

Walter Flight's Career

In 1867, Walter Flight came back to England. He earned his Doctor of Science degree from the University of London. In 1868, he became an assistant examiner in chemistry there. He worked with his old teacher, Professor Debus.

On September 5, 1867, he started working at the British Museum. He was an assistant in the mineralogy department. This department studies minerals. He worked under Professor Nevil Story-Maskelyne. At the museum, Flight began important research. He studied the minerals in meteorites. He also looked at the gases trapped inside them. This work quickly made him famous.

Walter Flight also worked as an examiner. In 1868, he examined students in chemistry and physics. This was at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. In 1876, he became an examiner for the Royal Military Academy, Cheltenham. For several years, he was part of a special committee. This committee studied "luminous meteors" (shooting stars). It was set up by the British Science Association.

Walter Flight's Later Life

Walter Flight was a very respected scientist. On June 7, 1883, he became a fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.

In 1884, he became very sick. He had to leave his job at the British Museum. Walter Flight passed away on November 4, 1885. He had a wife named Kate, who was the daughter of Dr. Fell. They had three young children.