Alfred Edwin Howard Tutton facts for kids

Alfred Edwin Howard Tutton (born August 22, 1864 – died July 14, 1938) was a British scientist. He worked as an inspector for schools, but his true passion was studying crystals. He became a very important scientist, elected to the Royal Society in 1899.

Who Was Alfred Tutton?

Alfred Tutton was born in Cheadle Moseley, Cheshire. His father, James Tutton, made Venetian blinds. Alfred first worked as a town clerk and then as a medical officer in Stockport.

His Journey to Science

Alfred was very interested in learning. He took evening classes in chemistry at Owens College. There, he learned from famous chemists like Sir Henry Roscoe. A special scholarship helped him study even more. He went to the Royal College of Science in London for three years. He learned from many great teachers there.

Becoming a Crystallographer

In 1889, Alfred became a chemistry lecturer. By 1895, he was an inspector for schools. But his spare time was spent on his true love: crystallography. This is the study of how crystals are formed and their shapes. He set up a laboratory at home. He taught himself almost everything about crystals. Only HA Miers gave him some help.

Alfred designed special tools to measure crystals. These included instruments to check crystal angles and interferometers. These tools were built for him by a company called Troughton & Simms. He also worked with Thomas Edward Thorpe to study phosphorus oxides. He worked in South Kensington until 1895. Then he moved to Oxford. While there, he continued his studies. He earned two science degrees from New College.

Tutton's Discoveries and Books

Alfred Tutton published several books about crystallography. His work was so important that he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1899. This is a very high honor for scientists in Britain.

Later Career and Travels

In 1905, Alfred moved to London for work. In 1911, he moved to Morant. He traveled to Canada in 1909. There, he gave talks about "the seven styles of crystal architecture." He retired from his job in 1924.

Last Years and Legacy

In 1930, Alfred used his special measuring technique. He helped confirm that the wavelength of a specific light could be used. This helped standardize the imperial yard, a unit of measurement. He received another honorary science degree in 1926 from Manchester University. In 1937, he went to India for the Indian Science Congress. He passed away the next year in Dallington, East Sussex.

His Published Works

Alfred Tutton wrote several important books.

• Crystalline Structure and Chemical Constitution (1910)
• Crystallography and Practical Crystal Measurement (1911, 1922)
• Crystals (1911)

He also loved mountaineering, which is climbing mountains. This interest led him to write The Natural History of Ice and Snow (1927). Because of this book, a place in Antarctica was named Tutton Point after him.

Personal Life

Alfred Tutton married Margaret Loat in 1902. They had two sons and four daughters. He was a very active mountaineer. He had an accident while climbing in 1926. Towards the end of his life, his eyesight began to fail.