Charles Greville Williams
Encyclopedia
Charles H. Greville Williams (22 September 1829 - 15 June 1910), was an English Scientist
and analytical Chemist
who published many scientific papers (from 1853). He was born at Cheltenham
, Gloucestershire
. He died at Horley
and is buried in Streatham
.
Throughout the later 19th century, many chemists attempted to determine the makeup of natural rubber
, with the goal of reproducing it. In 1860 Charles Greville Williams analyzed rubber by destructive distillation and obtained a large quantity of a light oil which he termed isoprene
(polymer of the monomer isoprene—formula CH2:C(CH3)CH:CH2). Many efforts were made during the next 70 years to synthesize rubber in the laboratory by using isoprene as the monomer
.
In 1868 he established the Brentford dyestuff works Williams, Thomas and Dower. The firm was liquidated in 1878 and in 1879 his two elder sons Rupert and Lewis established a dyestuffs factory at Hounslow
with the help of former employees.
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
and analytical Chemist
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
who published many scientific papers (from 1853). He was born at Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
. He died at Horley
Horley
Horley is a town in Surrey, England, situated south of the twin towns of Reigate and Redhill, and north of Gatwick Airport and Crawley.With fast links by train to London from Horley railway station, it has grown popular with commuters in recent years...
and is buried in Streatham
Streatham
Streatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
.
Professional life
He was elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society in 1862.Throughout the later 19th century, many chemists attempted to determine the makeup of natural rubber
Rubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
, with the goal of reproducing it. In 1860 Charles Greville Williams analyzed rubber by destructive distillation and obtained a large quantity of a light oil which he termed isoprene
Isoprene
Isoprene , or 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, is a common organic compound with the formula CH2=CCH=CH2. Under standard conditions it is a colorless liquid...
(polymer of the monomer isoprene—formula CH2:C(CH3)CH:CH2). Many efforts were made during the next 70 years to synthesize rubber in the laboratory by using isoprene as the monomer
Monomer
A monomer is an atom or a small molecule that may bind chemically to other monomers to form a polymer; the term "monomeric protein" may also be used to describe one of the proteins making up a multiprotein complex...
.
In 1868 he established the Brentford dyestuff works Williams, Thomas and Dower. The firm was liquidated in 1878 and in 1879 his two elder sons Rupert and Lewis established a dyestuffs factory at Hounslow
Hounslow
Hounslow is the principal town in the London Borough of Hounslow. It is a suburban development situated 10.6 miles west south-west of Charing Cross. It forms a post town in the TW postcode area.-Etymology:...
with the help of former employees.
External links
- Www.anoca.org (1) at www.anoca.org
- http://www.pslc.ws/macrog/exp/rubber/synth/slow.htm
- RUBBER, at www.history.com