James Walker (chemist) facts for kids

Sir James Walker (born April 6, 1863 – died May 6, 1935) was a famous Scottish chemist. He was known for his work in physical chemistry and for helping to share new scientific ideas.

Early Life and Education

James Walker was born in Logie House, in Dundee, Scotland. His father, James Walker, owned a company called J & H Walker, which made things from jute and flax. His mother was Susan Hutchison Cairns.

James went to the High School of Dundee. Even though he passed the test to get into the University of St Andrews, he decided to work for his father's company for three years first.

In 1882, he started studying science at the University of Edinburgh. He earned his first degree (BSc) in 1885 and a higher degree (doctorate) in 1886.

Studying in Germany

After his studies in Edinburgh, James Walker spent three years in Germany. There, he worked with famous chemists like Ludwig Claisen, Adolf von Baeyer, and Wilhelm Ostwald. He earned another advanced degree (PhD) from the University of Leipzig in 1889.

When he came back to Britain, he worked in Edinburgh and at University College, London. In 1894, he became a professor of chemistry at University College, Dundee.

Contributions to Chemistry

James Walker was very interested in physical chemistry. This part of chemistry looks at how energy and matter interact. He studied how to use electrolysis (using electricity to cause chemical changes) to make certain acids. He also measured how strong acids and bases were and how to find the weight of molecules using freezing points.

While he didn't make one huge discovery himself, his most important role was explaining new and sometimes controversial ideas in physical chemistry. These ideas came from scientists like Ostwald, van't Hoff, and Arrhenius.

He helped spread these ideas by translating Ostwald's book, Outlines of General Chemistry, in 1890. He also wrote his own textbook, Introduction to Physical Chemistry, in 1899. This book became a very important text for many university students in Britain.

Awards and Recognition

In 1890, James Walker was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a special honor for scientists. He was a very active member, serving as a Councillor and Vice President. He also won two important prizes from the Society: the Makdougall-Brisbane Prize and the Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize.

In 1900, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, another very high honor for scientists in the UK. In 1926, he received the Davy Medal, which is given for important discoveries in chemistry.

Later Career and Knighthood

In 1908, he returned to the University of Edinburgh to become the professor of Chemistry, taking over from Alexander Crum Brown.

During the First World War, James Walker played an important role. He supervised the making of explosives at a secret location near Roslin, south of Edinburgh. For his important work, King George V knighted him in 1921, giving him the title "Sir."

He was also the President of the Chemical Society from 1921 to 1923. He retired in 1928 and passed away in Edinburgh on May 6, 1935.

Family Life

In 1897, James Walker married Annie Purcell Sedgwick. She was also a chemist, but she stopped her research in 1905. They had a son named Frederick Walker, who later became a geologist and was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.