Joseph Henry Gilbert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Henry Gilbert
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| Born | 1 August 1817 |
| Died | 23 December 1901 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | English |
| Awards | Royal Medal (1867) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | chemistry |
| Influences | Thomas Thomson Thomas Graham |
Sir Joseph Henry Gilbert (born August 1, 1817, died December 23, 1901) was an English chemist. He spent his life making farming better through science. With his partner, J.B. Lawes, he did experiments at Rothamsted for 40 years.
They discovered that plants like wheat get nitrogen from the soil, not just from the air. This was different from what other scientists thought. Their work made Rothamsted a very important place for farm research. Gilbert also became a member of the Royal Society in 1860.
Early Life and Education
Joseph Henry Gilbert was born in Hull. His father, Joseph Gilbert, was a clergyman, and his mother was Ann Gilbert. Joseph went to school in Nottingham and Mansfield. His schooling was stopped for a while after an accident where he lost sight in one eye.
When he was 24, he started studying chemistry at university.
- He studied at Glasgow under Thomas Thomson.
- Then he went to University College, London. There he learned from Anthony Todd Thomson and attended lectures by Thomas Graham.
- He also learned German to study for his doctorate in Germany. He studied at the University of Giessen under Justus von Liebig.
After returning to England, he worked as an assistant at University College. In 1843, he took charge of the chemical laboratory at Rothamsted. This was an agricultural experiment station started by John Bennet Lawes.
Working with Lawes
A scientist named Thomson suggested Gilbert to Lawes. Lawes wanted to do science experiments on his farm in Rothamsted. Gilbert moved there in June 1843. He worked there until he died on December 23, 1901.
Most of the scientific studies were done by Gilbert. He worked very carefully. Their work used chemistry, meteorology (weather science), botany (plant science), and geology (earth science). They used these sciences to improve farming methods.
Achievements and Recognition
Gilbert was elected a member of the Royal Society in 1860. In 1867, he and Lawes were given the Royal Medal together. This is a very important award for scientists.
He also led the Chemical Section of the British Association in 1880. In 1882, he became president of the London Chemical Society. He had been a member almost since it started in 1841.
For six years, starting in 1884, he taught about farming at the University of Oxford. He was also an honorary professor at the Royal Agricultural College. Joseph Gilbert was made a knight on August 11, 1893. This was the same year that the Rothamsted experiments celebrated their 50th anniversary.
