James Napier (chemist) facts for kids

James Napier (born in 1810, died in 1884) was a clever Scottish scientist. He was an industrial chemist, which means he used chemistry to make things for factories and businesses. He was also an antiquarian, someone who studies old things and history. He was a special member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a famous group for scientists.

A Life of Science

James Napier was born in June 1810 in a place called Partick, which is part of Glasgow, Scotland. His father, also named James, was a gardener, and his mother, Margaret, was a seamstress.

When he was young, James became an apprentice dyer. This meant he learned how to use chemicals to color fabrics. He also studied chemistry at Glasgow University in extra classes, learning from a famous professor named Thomas Graham.

James Napier made many important discoveries in industrial chemistry. He even got several patents, which are special rights that protect new inventions.

In 1849, he joined the Philosophical Society of Glasgow. He shared many of his scientific papers, about 32 of them, with this group. Later, in 1876, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a great honor for scientists in Scotland.

James Napier passed away on December 1, 1884, at his home in Bothwell, Lanarkshire.

His Family

In October 1831, James Napier married Christina McIndoe. They had eight children together.