John Millar Thomson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Millar Thomson
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| Born | 29 March 1849 |
| Died | 18 April 1933 (aged 84) |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Glasgow, King's College London |
John Millar Thomson (born March 29, 1849 – died April 18, 1933) was a British chemist. He was a very important person in the world of chemistry. He held many top jobs in chemical groups in Britain. He also became the vice-principal of King's College London. From 1900 to 1903, he was the President of the Institute of Chemistry.
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About John Millar Thomson
John Millar Thomson was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He was the only child of Allen Thomson, who was a professor of anatomy. His family had a long history with the University of Glasgow. Since 1761, many of his relatives had been professors there. They taught subjects like law, math, and medicine.
Because of his family, John grew up around famous thinkers. He often went with his father on work trips. He helped by taking notes and giving technical help. This sparked his interest in buildings and design. He later became a skilled architect.
His Education and Early Career
John went to Glasgow High School. Then he studied at the University of Glasgow. He first studied arts and medicine. But he soon changed his focus to chemistry.
From 1866 to 1871, he worked in a chemistry lab. In 1869, he became an assistant to Professor Anderson. He also went to King's College London in 1868. There he saw demonstrations by other chemists.
In 1871, he became an assistant demonstrator at King's College. He took on more duties because a senior demonstrator was ill. By 1879, he was promoted to senior demonstrator.
His Work at King's College
From 1880 to 1887, John also taught chemistry at Queen's College. He became a professor there. During this time, he led the Chemistry Department at King's College.
He studied how crystals form and how solutions can hold extra dissolved material. He also looked at old types of glass. He studied the chemistry of colors used in paint. He researched how things rot and how to stop it. He also studied building materials and special salts. He helped edit several books on chemistry.
Awards and Recognition
John Millar Thomson was recognized for his important work. In 1880, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a group for top scientists.
In 1897, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. In 1898, the University of Glasgow gave him an honorary law degree.
Hobbies and Other Interests
Even with all his science work, John had other passions. He loved photography and was a skilled amateur photographer. He even taught engineering students about photography. He also enjoyed acting with the Dramatic Society at King's College.
Leadership Roles
In 1905, John became the vice-principal of King's College. He held this important job until he retired in 1914. He was also an Honorary Fellow of King's and Queen's Colleges.
A special medal was created in his honor. It is given to the best chemistry students at King's College. This was to celebrate his contributions to chemistry education.
John was also very active in many chemical societies. He was a leader in the Royal Society of Arts. He served on its council and was a vice-president. He also held many roles in the Chemical Society. He was a secretary and a vice-president there. He helped with the society's library too.
He became a fellow of the Institute of Chemistry in 1878. He served on its council and as a vice-president. He was also an examiner and a registrar. From 1900 to 1903, he was the President of the Institute of Chemistry.
