Frederic Nathan facts for kids

Sir Frederic Lewis Nathan (1861–1933) was an important chemical engineer. He played a big role in making sure the United Kingdom had enough supplies, like explosives and ammunition, during the First World War.

Early Life and Education

Frederic Lewis Nathan was born on February 10, 1861. Because he was Jewish, he did not attend the usual top private schools in Britain. Instead, he was taught privately at home. Later, he went to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, which is a famous military school.

Military Career and Explosives

In 1879, Nathan joined the Royal Artillery, a part of the British Army. He worked in Britain and India, focusing on military supplies, also known as ordnance. He helped to develop the magazine rifle, which was a new type of gun.

He rose through the ranks to become a Brevet Colonel. His last job in the army was leading the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey. This factory made more than just gunpowder. Nathan was in charge of producing the first batches of cordite, which is a type of smokeless explosive. He also got a patent for equipment used to make nitroglycerine, another powerful explosive.

Work During World War I

Nathan left the army in 1909 and became the general manager of Nobel's Explosives Co.'s factory at Ardeer.

When the First World War began, Nathan was crucial. He was responsible for building new factories to produce TNT and cordite, which were vital for the war effort. During the Shell Crisis of 1915, when there was a shortage of artillery shells, he became the Director of Propellant Supplies for the Ministry of Munitions. This meant he took charge of industries like soap and distilleries to get important ingredients like glycerine and alcohol. He also led a committee that looked into why explosions happened in government factories.

After the war, he worked for the government's Department of Scientific & Industrial Research. He was in charge of research into fuels and later worked on a group studying explosives used in mines.

Leading Chemical Engineers

Frederic Nathan was a strong supporter of creating a professional group for chemical engineers. He was one of the people who helped start the Institution of Chemical Engineers in 1922. He became its vice-president and then its second President from 1925 to 1927. He remained an active member until he died, especially caring about education for new engineers.

Personal Life and Interests

In 1888, Frederic Nathan married Adeline Edith Sichel. They had four sons, but sadly, one of them died while serving in the war.

He was also very active outside of his engineering work. He was involved with the Boy Scouts Association and was a leader in the Jewish Lads Brigade. He was also a member of the Jewish Historical Society and on the management committee of the Royal Institution. He was also the Chairman of the Association of Special Libraries and Information Bureaux.

Sir Frederic Lewis Nathan passed away at his home in Cornwall Gardens, London, on December 10, 1933.

Honours and Awards

Frederic Nathan received several important awards for his work. He was knighted in 1906, which meant he was given the title "Sir." In 1918, he was made a KBE, which is a very high honour. In the same year, he received the Order of Leopold II from the King of the Belgians. He also received the Russian Order of Saint Anna.