John Stuart Anderson facts for kids

John Stuart Anderson (born January 9, 1908 – died December 25, 1990) was an important scientist from both Britain and Australia. He was a professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne and later taught Inorganic Chemistry at the famous University of Oxford.

John was born in Islington, London. His father was a cabinet-maker from Scotland. He went to school nearby, but he learned most of his early chemistry from books at the Islington Public Library. He later studied at several colleges in London, including Imperial College.

Anderson's most important scientific work included:

• Using a special technique called Raman spectroscopy to understand how atoms connect. This helped explain how chemicals behave.
• Studying "non-stoichiometric compounds." These are special chemicals where atoms don't always combine in perfect whole numbers. He explained why they exist.
• Using powerful microscopes, like the field-emission microscope and field-ion microscope. He used these to see how reactions happen on surfaces, even at the atomic level.
• Using the electron microscope to solve problems in solid state chemistry. This helped him understand how solid materials react.
• Investigating how these "non-stoichiometric" chemical compounds stay balanced.

He also did practical research on minerals found in Australia. He even worked with a student named Ken McTaggart. John loved the Australian bush and felt a strong connection to the country.

Anderson also wrote a very important textbook called Modern Aspects of Inorganic Chemistry. He wrote it with Harry Julius Emeléus. This book was first published in 1938 and was used by students for over thirty years. It was even translated into many languages.

John Stuart Anderson passed away from cancer in Canberra, Australia, on Christmas Day, 1990. To remember his work, the University of Melbourne created the JS Anderson Prize. This award goes to a promising young chemistry student who is doing research.

Where John Anderson Worked and Taught

John Stuart Anderson held many important jobs during his career. He taught and researched at several famous universities and scientific institutions.

• 1930–1938: He started as a teacher and researcher at Imperial College in London.
• 1931: He received a special scholarship. This allowed him to work with Walter Hieber at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. There, he studied metal carbonyls.
• 1938–1947: He became a Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Melbourne in Australia.
• 1947–1954: He worked as a Senior Principal and Deputy Chief Scientific Officer. This was at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment in Harwell, UK.
• 1954–1959: He returned to the University of Melbourne as a Professor of Chemistry.
• 1959–1963: He became the Director of the National Chemical Laboratory in Teddington, UK.
• 1963–1975: He was a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Oxford in the UK. This is one of the world's most famous universities.
• 1975–1981: After retiring from Oxford, he became an Honorary Professorial Fellow at University College, Aberystwyth.
• 1981–1990: He spent his later years as a Visiting Fellow. This was at the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University in Canberra.

Awards and Special Recognitions

John Stuart Anderson received many awards and honors for his important contributions to chemistry. These awards show how much his work was valued by the scientific community.

• 1944: He received the H.G. Smith Medal from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
• 1945: He won the Syme Research Prize from the University of Melbourne.
• 1953: He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
• 1954: He was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA). This is a top honor for scientists in Australia.
• 1965: He received the Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture.
• 1973: He was awarded the Davy Medal by the Royal Society of London. This is a very prestigious award in chemistry.
• 1974–1976: He served as President of the Dalton Division of the Chemical Society.
• 1975: He received an Award for Solid State Chemistry from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
• 1975: He also received the Longstaff Medal from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
• 1978: He was made an Honorary Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences.
• 1979: He received an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) degree from the University of Bath.
• 1980: He was awarded the Hugo Muller Medal/Lecture by the Royal Society of Chemistry.