Robert Warington facts for kids
Robert Warington (born September 7, 1807 – died November 17, 1867) was an English chemist. He is known for helping to create the world's first lasting chemistry group, The Chemical Society of London. This group later became the Royal Society of Chemistry. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), which is a big honor for scientists.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Warington was born on September 7, 1807, in Sheerness, a town in Kent, England. He was the third son of Thomas Warington, who supplied ships and sold wine. His mother was Esther Elizabeth Eaton.
As a child, Robert lived in different places, including Portsmouth and Boulogne. In 1818, he started school at Merchant Taylors'.
In 1822, when he was 15, Robert began training for five years with John Thomas Cooper. Cooper was a chemistry teacher and made rare chemicals like potassium and iodine. This training helped Robert become a skilled chemist.
Starting His Chemistry Career
When London University opened in 1828 (now University College, London), Robert was chosen to be an assistant to the Professor of Chemistry, Edward Turner.
In 1831, he became the first trained chemist to work for a British brewery, Truman, Hanbury & Buxton. From 1842 until near his death, he also worked as a chemical operator at the Society of Apothecaries.
On August 3, 1836, Robert married Elizabeth Jackson. They had four children. Their oldest son, Robert Warington Jr., also became a famous chemist. Robert Warington Sr. passed away on November 17, 1867, in Budleigh Salterton, Devon.
Important Scientific Work
Robert Warington did many important things in the world of chemistry. In 1831, he published his first research paper about a natural form of bismuth.
Founding Chemical Societies
In 1839, Robert started the idea to create the Chemical Society of London. He organized the first meeting in 1841 and was its first Secretary for ten years. This society became very important for chemists.
In 1845, he also helped start the Royal College of Chemistry. This college later became part of Imperial College, London. A year later, in 1846, he helped form the Cavendish Society and was its secretary for three years.
Protecting Consumers
Robert Warington also worked to protect people from bad products. In 1844, he began looking into how tea was being made impure, or "adulterated." He even gave evidence in a government inquiry about it in 1855.
He often worked as a chemical expert in legal cases. This meant he used his chemistry knowledge to help solve problems in court.
Medicine and Gas Safety
In 1851, Robert updated an English translation of the ‘'Pharmacopœia of the Royal College of Physicians'’. This book contains recipes and standards for medicines. He also helped create the British Pharmacopoeia starting in 1864.
From 1854, he worked for seven years as a chemical expert for London's coal gas companies. He made sure the gas was safe and of good quality.
In 1864, Robert Warington was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists. He wrote 47 scientific papers by himself.
The Aquarium Principle
One of Robert Warington's most interesting discoveries was the "aquarium principle." He found that if you put plants in water with animals, the plants would make enough oxygen for the animals to breathe. This works as long as there are not too many animals.
He shared his findings in 1851 in a science journal. His work was a big step in understanding how to keep fish and other water creatures in aquariums. This is why he is considered the origin of modern aquaria.
