Augustus Voelcker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Augustus Voelcker
|
|
|---|---|
Portrait c. 1862 from collection of Royal Agricultural University
|
|
| Born | 24 September 1822 |
| Died | 5 December 1884 (aged 62) London, England
|
| Nationality | German |
| Known for | Royal Agricultural Society of England |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemist |
| Influences | Friedrich Wöhler Justus von Liebig Gerardus Johannes Mulder James Finlay Weir Johnston |
John Christopher Augustus Voelcker FRS (September 24, 1822 – December 5, 1884) was an important German chemist. He became well-known for his work in agricultural chemistry. This field studies how chemistry helps farming and improves crops.
Voelcker was famous for being very careful and precise in his scientific tests. In 1876, he started long-term experiments in a place called Woburn. These experiments looked at how to rotate crops and use fertilizers. After he passed away in 1884, his son, John Augustus Voelcker, continued his work. His son was also an agricultural chemist and later helped improve farming in India.
Early Life and Education
Augustus Voelcker was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He was the fifth son in his family. His father passed away when Augustus was only eleven years old.
Because of poor health, his schooling was delayed. At sixteen, he had to start working. He worked as a pharmacist's assistant in Frankfurt and later in Schaffhausen.
In 1844, Voelcker began studying chemistry at the University of Göttingen. There, he learned from Professor Friedrich Wöhler. He also attended the University of Giessen, where the famous German chemist Justus von Liebig taught about agricultural chemistry. Voelcker earned his doctor of philosophy degree from Göttingen University. His main research was about the makeup of tortoise-shell.
After his studies, he worked in Utrecht as an assistant to Professor Gerardus Johannes Mulder. There, Voelcker studied the chemistry of how animals and plants produce things. In 1847, he moved to Edinburgh to work with James Finlay Weir Johnston, who was a chemist for a farming society. While in Edinburgh, Voelcker also gave lectures at Durham University.
Career in Agricultural Chemistry
From 1849, Augustus Voelcker became the first professor of chemistry at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. He taught about many topics, including how to treat sewage.
Around 1849, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 11th Baronet hired Voelcker as a consultant chemist for the Royal Bath and West of England Society. In 1855, he also became a consultant chemist for the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. He held this job until 1863, but he still kept in touch with the society.
After Voelcker's death in 1884, his son, John Augustus Voelcker, took over his role as consultant chemist. John Augustus Voelcker Jr. carried out important long-term experiments. These studies focused on crop rotation and how to apply fertilizers at Woburn.
Voelcker (the father) wrote articles for the society's journal and gave lectures. He understood the business side of farming very well. He explained that a good chemist could figure out the exact parts of fertilizer. By knowing their market price, the chemist could calculate the fertilizer's value.
In 1863, he started his own consulting business in London. He gave advice on many topics. These included sewage, water and gas supply, river pollution, and farming land. For example, he calculated the yearly value of waste from an adult for farming. In 1875, he was chosen as chairman of the London Farmers Club.
After a big famine in India, his son J.A. Voelcker was sent there in 1889. He led a group that looked into ways to improve farming in India.
Family and Later Life
Augustus Voelcker married Susanna Wilhelm in 1852. They had four sons and one daughter. Their first son, George, sadly passed away from diphtheria while studying medicine.
Two of his other sons, John Augustus Voelcker and Edward William Voelcker, followed their father's path. They both became well-known agricultural chemists. Another son, Arthur Francis Voelcker, became a doctor.
Voelcker was also interested in religion. He was active in the British and Foreign Bible Society. He passed away from a heart problem at his home in Kensington, London.
