Robert Howson Pickard facts for kids
Sir Robert Howson Pickard (born September 27, 1874 – died October 18, 1949) was a brilliant chemist. He did important work on how chemicals are shaped, which is called stereochemistry. He also helped the cotton industry in Lancashire. Besides his science work, he was involved in running schools and universities. He was even the leader, called Vice Chancellor, of the University of London from 1937 to 1939. Before that, he was the Principal of Battersea Polytechnic (now the University of Surrey) from 1920 to 1927.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Pickard was born in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, England. His father, Joseph Henry Pickard, was a tool maker. From 1883 to 1891, Robert went to King Edward VI's Grammar School.
In 1891, he started studying chemistry at Mason Science College. This college later became the University of Birmingham. He studied under a famous chemist named Percy F. Frankland. Robert earned a top-grade Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of London.
Later, in 1896, he went to the University of Munich in Germany. He was there as an 1851 Exhibitioner, which is a special scholarship. In 1898, he earned his PhD degree with the highest honors.
Career and Discoveries
After his studies, Robert Pickard spent a year doing chemistry research in Birmingham. Then, he became the head of chemistry at Blackburn Technical School in Blackburn, Lancashire. He was the principal of this school from 1908 to 1920.
While at Blackburn, he wrote many important scientific papers. He published 35 papers in the Journal of the Chemical Society. He did original work on the structure of chemicals. He also studied optical isomerism, which is about how some molecules are mirror images of each other. Because of his amazing work, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1917. This is a very high honor for scientists.
From 1920 to 1927, Pickard was the Principal of Battersea Polytechnic. This school later became the University of Surrey.
Helping the Cotton Industry
Robert Pickard also shared his knowledge with the cotton industry. He later became the director of the British Cotton Industry Research Association. This group was also known as the Shirley Institute. He worked there in Manchester from 1927 to 1943. He greatly improved the research facilities there in 1936. His work helped the cotton industry make better products.
Leadership in Science
Robert Pickard was also a great organizer. He was active in many scientific groups. He was on the council of the Royal Society. He was also the president of the Society of Chemical Industry from 1932 to 1933. He led the Royal Institute of Chemistry (now the Royal Society of Chemistry) from 1936 to 1939. He also held various roles at the University of London for a long time. This included being the Vice-Chancellor from 1937 to 1939.
Personal Life
Robert Pickard married Ethel Marian Wood in 1901. Ethel passed away in 1944. They had a daughter, who died before her father, and a son. Robert Pickard died at his son's home in Headley, Surrey.
See also
- List of Vice-Chancellors of the University of London
- List of British university chancellors and vice-chancellors
