James Emerson Reynolds facts for kids

James Emerson Reynolds (born January 8, 1844 – died February 18, 1920) was an important Irish chemist. He was the first scientist to successfully get a chemical called thiourea on its own. He also created a special test for another chemical called acetone, which is now known as "Reynolds's test".

Early Life and Discoveries

James Emerson Reynolds was born in Blackrock, County Dublin, Ireland, on January 8, 1844. His father was a doctor, and his mother was from England. As a young person, James helped in his father's pharmacy. This is where he first became interested in chemistry.

He set up a small lab at home and started doing his own experiments. When he was just 17, he published his first two science papers in 1861. One was about a new way to print photos, and the other was about how different types of iron react with acids.

Family Life

On February 12, 1875, James married Janet Elizabeth Finlayson. They had two children: a son named Alfred John and a daughter named Marion Janet Elizabeth.

A Career in Chemistry

James Reynolds became an assistant chemist at the Dublin Chemical Society. He wrote many papers on different science topics. He also continued his research into photography.

His father encouraged him to study medicine. So, James went to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Edinburgh. He finished his studies in 1865. He worked as a doctor for a short time in Dublin. But after his father passed away, he decided to focus on chemistry again.

Becoming a Professor

Even though he didn't have a formal degree in chemistry, James was very talented. In 1867, when he was 23, he got a job at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS). This job gave him access to a professional lab. The next year, he became the RDS's main chemical analyst.

In 1868, James made a big discovery. He was the first person to successfully isolate thiourea. This chemical is similar to urea, but it contains sulfur. He published his findings in a science journal in 1869.

He also worked with urea and created many new compounds. In 1871, he described how to prepare a compound of acetone with mercuric oxide. This became the basis for "Reynolds's test," which is used to detect acetone.

Working for the Public

At the RDS, James also did important work for the public. He checked cattle food and artificial fertilizers to make sure they were pure. He also tested the purity of whiskey from Irish distilleries. He used a new tool called a spectroscope to help with his work.

James also gave public lectures on science topics like absorption spectra and ozone. In 1872, he became a professor of analytic chemistry. He was the first person in Britain or Ireland to have this title. From 1870 to 1875, he also taught chemistry and physics at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

In 1875, he helped write a book called Manual of public health in Ireland. He also led the testing of the Vartry water supply for Dublin.

Teaching at Trinity College Dublin

In 1875, James Reynolds left the RDS and RCSI. He became a professor of chemistry at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). TCD gave him an honorary MD degree in 1876.

He focused a lot on teaching. He updated the courses and improved the classrooms for his students. He was known for being an excellent, but strict, lecturer.

New Teaching Methods

James was a pioneer in using periodic tables in his lectures. He also correctly placed the element beryllium in the periodic table. He believed that students should learn chemistry by doing practical experiments.

In 1882, he wrote a four-volume textbook called Experimental chemistry for junior students. This book was very successful and was even translated into German. His new teaching methods became widely used because of this book. He also introduced separate exams for different types of chemistry, like organic and inorganic.

James Reynolds worked with George Francis Fitzgerald to get more recognition for science at TCD. He suggested reforms to add scholarships and longer courses for science students. In 1891, TCD introduced new science degrees, and James was one of the first to earn a D.Sc.

He left TCD in 1903. He then moved to London and continued his research in private labs until 1911. His last scientific paper was published in 1913.

Later Life and Legacy

James Reynolds was a member of many important science groups. These included the Institute of Chemistry, the Society of Chemical Industry, the Chemical Society, and the Royal Society.

In 1919, he had a serious accident, which was followed by a stroke. He passed away at his home in Kensington, London, on February 18, 1920. Today, the chemistry department at TCD still has his original sample of thiourea on display.