Edward Robert Festing facts for kids

Edward Robert Festing (born August 10, 1839 – died May 16, 1912) was an important English person. He was an army officer, a chemist, and the very first Director of the famous Science Museum in London. He also did important research with Sir William Abney on something called infrared spectroscopy in the 1880s.

Early Life and Military Career

Edward Festing was born in a place called Frome, Somerset. He went to school at Carshalton and King's College School. Later, he joined the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich.

At just fifteen years old, he became a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. This was a special part of the British army that focused on engineering and building.

Discoveries in Science

Festing worked closely with Sir William de Wiveleslie Abney, who also went to the Royal Military Academy. Together, they studied infrared light. This is a type of light we can't see, but we can feel it as heat.

They looked at how different chemicals absorbed this infrared light. In 1881, they made an important discovery. They found that specific parts of molecules, not just the whole molecule, were responsible for absorbing the light. For example, they saw that a certain group of atoms called the nitro group would absorb light in a particular way.

In 1885, they also created a special tool called a colour photometer. This tool helped them measure different colours very precisely.

Leading the Science Museum

In 1864, Edward Festing joined the South Kensington Museum. This museum was a big place that showed both art and science. He became one of the assistant directors there.

When the museum's director, Sir Philip Cunliffe-Owen, retired in 1893, the museum was split into two parts. One part became an Art Museum, which is now known as the Victoria and Albert Museum. The other part became the new Science Museum. Edward Festing was chosen to be the very first Director of this new Science Museum.

Awards and Recognition

Edward Festing was recognized for his important work. On June 4, 1886, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group of scientists.

He also received an honour called the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). This award was given to him on January 1, 1900. Queen Victoria herself presented him with this award at Windsor Castle on March 1, 1900.

He passed away on May 16, 1912, from heart failure. He was buried in Highgate Cemetery.

Family Life

Edward Festing had an older brother named John Wogan Festing. John became a very important religious leader, the Bishop of St Albans.

Edward also had a son, Richard Arthur Grindall Festing. His son worked for the government in a country called Ceylon, which is now known as Sri Lanka.