Robert Mond facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Robert Mond
Born	9 September 1867 Farnworth, Widnes, Lancashire, England
Died	22 October 1938 Paris, France
Nationality	English
Alma mater	Peterhouse, Cambridge, Zurich Polytechnic, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow
Known for	Discovery of carbonyl compounds Egyptian archaeology
Spouse(s)	Helen Levis ​ ​ (m. 1898; died 1905)​ Marie-Louise Guggenheim, née Le Manac’h ​ (m. 1922)​
Children	2
Awards	Messel medal of the Society of Chemical Industry Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur
Scientific career
Fields	Chemist, archaeologist
Institutions	Brunner Mond & Company
Doctoral advisor	William Thomson

Sir Robert Ludwig Mond was a brilliant British scientist. He was both a chemist and an archaeologist. He was born on September 9, 1867, and passed away on October 22, 1938. He is known for discovering new chemical compounds and for his important work uncovering ancient Egyptian history.

Early Life and Education

Robert Mond was born in Farnworth, England. His father, Ludwig Mond, was also a famous chemist and businessman. Robert studied at several top universities. These included Peterhouse, Cambridge, Zurich Polytechnic, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Glasgow. At Glasgow, he learned from the famous scientist William Thomson, also known as Lord Kelvin.

Chemistry Discoveries

Robert Mond worked with his father to discover a gas called nickel carbonyl. This was a very important finding in chemistry. He also improved how to make iron carbonyl for industrial use. He discovered new chemical compounds, including a new ruthenium carbonyl.

Because of his family's business, he became a director at Brunner Mond & Company. This company was very important in the chemical industry. He also helped the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada, because of his connection to nickel mines there.

Archaeology Adventures

Later in his life, Robert Mond became very interested in the archaeology of Ancient Egypt. He worked with some of the most famous archaeologists of his time. These included Howard Carter, who discovered Tutankhamun's tomb, and Alan Gardiner.

He helped explore and preserve ancient sites, especially in the Theban Necropolis in Egypt. After World War I, he helped protect the tomb of Ramesses I. Robert Mond also collected many ancient artifacts, which he later gave to the British Museum.

His archaeological work wasn't just in Egypt. He also explored sites in Palestine, France, and the Channel Islands. He even helped start a British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem. Besides ancient history, Robert Mond also collected model soldiers. He had a huge collection of 900 figures representing all the armies of Napoleon.

Honours and Helping Others

Robert Mond was very generous. He helped turn a house in Paris into the Maison de la Chimie. This place supports chemical research in France. He also gave a lot of money to the British Institute in Paris. He made large donations to universities in Liverpool, Manchester, and Toronto.

He was knighted in 1932, which means he received the title "Sir." He received many awards and honorary degrees from universities. He was also elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. These are very high honors for scientists in Britain. In France, he received the Legion of Honour, a very prestigious award.

Personal Life

Robert Mond was married twice. In 1898, he married Helen Levis. They had two daughters. Sadly, Helen passed away in 1905. To honor her memory, Robert Mond helped start the Infants' Hospital in London.

In 1922, he married Marie-Louise Guggenheim. After this marriage, he spent more of his time living in France. He passed away in Paris and was cremated there. His ashes were buried at his home in Brittany, France.

See also

• Melchett Medal