Francis Arthur Freeth facts for kids

Francis Arthur Freeth (born January 2, 1884 – died July 15, 1970) was a clever British chemist. He spent most of his career working for big chemical companies like Brunner Mond and later Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). He was known for understanding how chemicals mix and react, and he helped create many ways to make explosives. Freeth made a very important contribution during World War I by finding new ways to make ammonium nitrate, which is used in explosives. He also helped a little in World War II with secret projects. Freeth built strong connections between British and Dutch chemists, especially at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, where he even earned a special degree.

Early Life and Learning

Francis Freeth was born on January 2, 1884, in a town called Birkenhead. His father was a sea captain, and his family had a history of serving in the military.

In 1896, Freeth started attending Audlem grammar school. The next year, a new science lab was built at his school. This sparked his interest in chemistry, and he became very good at it! Even though he wasn't great at math, his passion for chemistry shone through.

In 1900, after passing his entrance exam, he went to Liverpool University. He graduated with top honors in 1905 and earned a master's degree in 1906. There, he learned from Frederick George Donnan, a famous chemist who greatly influenced Freeth's work.

Working at Brunner Mond

After university, Freeth briefly worked at a tobacco factory, but he didn't enjoy it. So, he quit and joined Brunner Mond on September 25, 1907. On his very first day, he brought his own lab equipment, which he had bought himself!

By 1909, Freeth became the company's chief chemist, working at the Winnington Laboratory. That same year, he was asked to research how to make ammonium nitrate for explosives. To do this, he needed to read a paper written in Dutch. So, he quickly taught himself to read Dutch! He soon started talking with Dutch chemists and became very familiar with their scientific writings.

Freeth's Role in World War I

When World War I began, Freeth was part of the British army reserves. He spent six weeks fighting in France in early 1915. However, he was soon sent back to Britain. The government needed him to continue his important research on weapons at Brunner Mond.

At the start of the war, Germany had an advantage in making explosives cheaply. They knew how to mix ammonium nitrate with TNT to make a powerful explosive called amatol. They also had a special process to produce the necessary nitrogen compounds.

Freeth's first task was to find a way to make TNT purer. He invented a new cooling process. However, this method was very risky. Sadly, it led to the Silvertown explosion in 1917, which killed 73 people. Freeth later said this process was "very dangerous." He then developed a second, safer process that was used to make even more explosives.

His second big task was to find new ways to produce ammonium nitrate. Freeth used his earlier research and put his ideas into action in large factories. For his vital work during the war, he received an honor called the OBE in 1924.

Connecting with Dutch Science

After the war, Freeth believed that British chemical companies needed to do more of their own research. He started recruiting talented scientists and encouraged closer ties with universities. He also pushed for a more scientific approach to industrial research. Freeth was very good at understanding how different chemicals mix and react, and he used this knowledge to attract smart people to Brunner Mond.

In 1919, Freeth visited the Netherlands. He went to the lab of Kammerlingh Onnes in Leiden, which was much more advanced than his own. He stayed in touch with Onnes and also met other famous scientists like Albert Einstein.

Inspired by Onnes's work with very cold temperatures, Freeth suggested that Brunner Mond set up a new low-temperature lab. This lab was built in 1931 and later led to the discovery of polythene, a type of plastic. Many British scientists also went to the Netherlands to work with Onnes, creating a great exchange of ideas. In 1924, Freeth received a special doctorate degree from the University of Leiden. In 1926, he became a member of the Royal Society, a very respected group of scientists.

Imperial Chemical Industries and World War II

Brunner Mond later merged with other companies to form Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). Freeth stayed with the new company. He became a Joint Research Manager in London, but he found the new job too focused on paperwork. He retired from his research role in 1938. However, he continued to work as a consultant for ICI and also did secret work for the government.

During World War II, Freeth carried out secret research for the Special Operations Executive. This involved developing special materials for commandos or resistance groups to use in the field or for sabotage. During this time, he reconnected with friends at ICI. He returned to the company in 1944 to help recruit new talented scientists for chemical research.

He retired again in 1952. This time, he worked less and spent more time with his family. Freeth later said that his second time working at ICI was "astonishingly happy and successful."

Honours and Achievements

• Bachelor of Science (first class), University of Liverpool, 1905
• Master of Science, University of Liverpool, 1906
• PhD, University of Leiden, 1924
• Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), 1924
• Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), 1926
• Honorary lecturer, University College London, 1928–1945