George Barger facts for kids
George Barger (born April 4, 1878 – died January 5, 1939) was a British chemist. He was a very important scientist who studied how chemicals work, especially those found in living things. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists.
Contents
About George Barger's Life
George Barger was born in Manchester, England, on April 4, 1878. His mother, Eleanor Higginbotham, was English. His father, Gerrit Barger, was a Dutch engineer.
He went to school in Utrecht and The Hague in the Netherlands. Later, he studied at King's College, Cambridge in England. He also earned a special science degree, called a doctorate, from University College London.
What George Barger Studied
George Barger's main work was about chemicals called alkaloids. These are natural compounds often found in plants. He also studied simple nitrogen compounds that are important for living things.
He discovered that a chemical called tyramine was active in extracts from a fungus called ergot. He also helped create important chemicals in the lab. These included thyroxine, which is a hormone, and vitamin B1, which is important for health.
In 1936 and 1937, he worked with another scientist, Joseph John Blackie. They looked for new materials to use in their research.
Awards and Family
George Barger became a Fellow of the Royal Society in May 1919. This means he was recognized as a top scientist. In 1938, he received the Davy Medal. This is a special award for important discoveries in chemistry.
He married Florence Emily Thomas in 1904. They had two sons and one daughter. George Barger passed away in Aeschi, Switzerland, on January 5, 1939.
George Barger's Important Jobs
George Barger held many important teaching and research jobs during his career:
- 1937–1939: He was the Regius Professor of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. This was a very high position.
- 1919–1937: He worked as a Professor of Chemistry related to medicine at the University of Edinburgh.
- 1913–1914: He was a Professor of Chemistry at Royal Holloway College, part of the University of London.
- 1909–1913: He led the Chemical Department at Goldsmiths' College.
- 1903–1909: He was a Fellow at King's College, Cambridge, where he had studied earlier.
