Robert Robertson (chemist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Robertson
|
|
|---|---|
Sir Robert Robertson
by Walter Stoneman © National Portrait Gallery, London |
|
| Born |
Robert Robertson
17 April 1869 |
| Died | 28 April 1949 (aged 80) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | Chemist |
| Known for | Government Chemist |
| Title | Sir |
| Awards | Davy Medal (1944) |
Sir Robert Robertson (born April 17, 1869 – died April 28, 1949) was a brilliant British chemist. He worked for the government as the 'Government Chemist' from 1921 to 1936. He was also the first person to discover that there are two different kinds of natural diamonds!
Contents
Early Life and Education
Robert Robertson was born in a town called Cupar in Fife, Scotland. His dad, J. A. Robertson, was a dentist, and his mom was Euphemia Russell. Robert went to Bell Baxter High School. He was a very smart student and even won a special award called the Balgonie Gold Medal in 1885. This award was for being the best student at his school.
After high school, he went to St Andrews University. He studied both arts and science there. Later, the university gave him an honorary degree, which is a special award for his achievements.
A Career in Chemistry
After university, Robert started working as an assistant in a chemistry lab in Glasgow. Later, he got a job as an analyst at the Royal Gunpowder Factory in Waltham Abbey. This was a very important place because it made explosives.
Working During Wartime
During the Great War (also known as World War I), Robert Robertson was in charge of researching explosives. His important work helped the country a lot. Because of this, he was given a special honor and became a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). This means he was given the title "Sir." In 1917, he was also chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very respected group of scientists.
In 1921, Sir Robert became the Chief Government Chemist. This was a very important job where he led all the government's chemistry work. He held this position until he retired in 1936. But when World War II started, he came out of retirement to help again! He led the Armaments Research Department, which worked on weapons research.
Awards and Recognition
Sir Robert Robertson was a leader in the science world. He was elected President of the Faraday Society in 1922. In 1924, he became President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. From 1925 to 1927, he was also a council member of the Royal Society of London.
In 1944, he received the Davy Medal from the Royal Society. This award was given to him for his amazing research on explosives, new ways to analyze chemicals, the inside structure of diamonds, and how materials absorb light (called infra-red absorption spectra).
Family Life
Sir Robert Robertson married Kathleen Stannus Stannus in 1903. They had two children together. Their daughter, Jesanne Euphemia Stannus, was born in 1909. Their son, Robert Hugh Stannus, was born in 1911.
