George Downing Liveing facts for kids

George Downing Liveing (born December 21, 1827, died December 26, 1924) was a brilliant English scientist. He was a chemist, which means he studied what things are made of and how they change. He was also a spectroscopist, someone who uses light to figure out what different materials are made of. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a very important group of scientists.

Early Life

George was born in a place called Nayland, in Suffolk, England. He was the oldest son of Dr. Edward Liveing and Catherine Mary Downing.

A Life in Science

University Studies

George went to St John's College, Cambridge, a famous university. He first studied math, getting his first degree in 1850. Then, he focused on science, especially chemistry and mineralogy (the study of minerals). He did so well that he earned another degree in 1853. Much later, in 1908, he received an honorary science degree, which is a special award for his achievements.

Teaching and Research

In 1853, St John's College created a special teaching job just for him: a chemistry lecturer! They even built a new chemical laboratory for him to use. He taught there for many years. In 1911, he became the President of St John's College, a position he held until he passed away.

After another chemistry professor, James Cumming, died in 1861, George Liveing was chosen to take over as the Professor of Chemistry at Cambridge University. He also taught chemistry at military colleges for a while. He retired from teaching in 1908 when he was 81 years old.

Awards and Discoveries

George Liveing was recognized for his important work. In 1879, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists. In 1901, he received the Society's Davy Medal. This award was given to him for all his amazing contributions to spectroscopy, which is the study of how light interacts with matter.

Liveing worked closely with another famous scientist, James Dewar. Together, they wrote 78 scientific papers about spectroscopy. Their teamwork helped us understand a lot more about how light can tell us what things are made of.

Personal Life

In 1860, George Liveing married Catherine Ingram. He lived a long life, passing away on December 26, 1924, when he was 97 years old. Sadly, he died after being hit by a cyclist while walking to his laboratory. He was buried in the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground in Cambridge, right next to his wife, who had passed away earlier in 1888.