Charles May (industrialist) facts for kids
Charles May (born May 4, 1801 – died August 10, 1860) was a smart English scientist. He was a chemist, an engineer, and even an astronomer. He lived and worked in the middle of the 1800s. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very important group of scientists.
Charles was born in Alton, Hampshire. His parents, Samuel and Ann May, were Quakers. Quakers are members of a Christian group known for their simple lifestyle. Charles's father, Samuel, worked as a draper, selling cloth.
Charles had a brother named Francis May. Francis later helped start a famous company called Bryant and May. This company became well-known for making matches.
When Charles was young, he became an apprentice to a chemist named Ollive Sims in Stockport. An apprenticeship is like learning a job by working with an expert. After finishing his training, Charles started his own business. He became a chemist and druggist in Ampthill, Bedfordshire.
On April 24, 1824, Charles May married Ann Simms. Ann was the daughter of Ollive Sims, his former teacher.
Joining the Royal Society
The Royal Society is one of the oldest and most respected scientific groups in the world. Being a Fellow of the Royal Society means you are recognized as a top scientist.
Charles May was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society on April 6, 1843. Important people like Dr. George Witt, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and John Herschel suggested him for this honor. This showed how much they respected his work in science and engineering.
