Thomas Graham facts for kids

Thomas Graham is a name shared by several interesting people throughout history. When you see a name like this, it means there are different individuals who all have the same name. Let's learn about some of the most well-known people named Thomas Graham.

Thomas Graham (Chemist)

Thomas Graham (1805–1869) was a very important Scottish chemist. He is often called the "father of colloid chemistry." This might sound complicated, but it just means he studied how tiny particles mix in liquids.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Graham was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He went to the University of Glasgow when he was only 14 years old! He first studied to become a minister, but he soon found his true passion was chemistry. He then moved to Edinburgh to continue his chemistry studies.

Scientific Discoveries

Graham made many important discoveries. He is famous for his work on how gases move and mix. He discovered something called Graham's Law of Effusion. This law explains that lighter gases move faster than heavier gases. Imagine a race between a tiny feather and a heavy rock; the feather moves through the air more easily!

He also studied how different substances pass through special filters. He found that some substances, like sugar or salt, could easily pass through, while others, like glue or gelatin, could not. He called the ones that passed through "crystalloids" and the ones that didn't "colloids." This led to the invention of dialysis, a process used today to clean blood for people whose kidneys don't work well.

Later Career

Graham became a professor at University College London. He also served as the Master of the Royal Mint, which is where coins are made in the United Kingdom. He was a very respected scientist and helped us understand a lot about how different materials behave.

Thomas Graham, 1st Baron Lynedoch (Soldier and Politician)

Thomas Graham, 1st Baron Lynedoch (1748–1843) was a British soldier and politician. He lived a very long life and saw many changes in the world.

Military Career

Graham started his military career later in life, after his wife passed away. He joined the army and quickly showed great skill. He fought in many important battles, including the Napoleonic Wars. He was known for being brave and a good leader.

Political Life

Besides being a soldier, Thomas Graham also served as a Member of Parliament. This means he helped make laws for his country. He was a respected figure in both military and political circles.

Thomas N. Graham (American Civil War Soldier)

Thomas N. Graham (1837–1911) was a soldier in the American Civil War. He fought for the Union Army.

Medal of Honor

He is known for being awarded the Medal of Honor, which is the highest military award in the United States. He received this medal for his bravery during a battle in Virginia in 1865. He showed great courage under fire, helping his fellow soldiers.