James Ballantyne Hannay
Encyclopedia
James Ballantyne Hannay (1855–1931) was a Scottish
chemist who believed he had synthesized diamond
in 1880. However, modern testing showed that the surviving samples from his experiments were natural diamond, not synthetic. While his techniques were conducive to diamond formation, modern diamond production – not achieved until the 1950s – requires capabilities not available in Hannay's time.
and who was the proprietor of the Prince of Wales Theatre, later rebuilt as the Grand Theatre, in Cowcaddens
, Glasgow
. James Hannay became a chemist and was a prolific innovator. He published several scientific papers and took out over 70 patents in Britain, Europe and the USA. He also formed his own patents company in Glasgow. His most controversial scientific work, which was also his best known, related to his claim, made in 1880, that he had successfully synthesised diamonds. These claims have been investigated by a number of scientists including Sir Robert Robertson, (1869–1949) the first person to establish that two types of natural diamond existed, who took a great personal interest in them.
In the later years of his life Hannay turned away from scientific investigation and moved his attention to examining aspects of the origin and development of religion
and published a number of works critical of the Hebrew Scriptures. James Ballantyne Hannay died in 1931. A collection of archives relating to Hannay was collected by Sir Robert Robertson. These were gifted to the University of Dundee
by Sir Robert's son, Robert H. S. Robertson, who himself carried out much research into the life and career of James Hannay. These records are now held by the University's Archive Services.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
chemist who believed he had synthesized diamond
Diamond
In mineralogy, diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at ambient conditions...
in 1880. However, modern testing showed that the surviving samples from his experiments were natural diamond, not synthetic. While his techniques were conducive to diamond formation, modern diamond production – not achieved until the 1950s – requires capabilities not available in Hannay's time.
Biography
James Ballantyne Hannay was born in Glasgow in 1855. His father was Alexander Hannay, portioner, who owned property in HelensburghHelensburgh
Helensburgh is a town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It lies on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde and the eastern shore of the entrance to the Gareloch....
and who was the proprietor of the Prince of Wales Theatre, later rebuilt as the Grand Theatre, in Cowcaddens
Cowcaddens
Cowcaddens is an area of the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is virtually in the city centre and is bordered by the areas of Garnethill to the south and Townhead to the east....
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. James Hannay became a chemist and was a prolific innovator. He published several scientific papers and took out over 70 patents in Britain, Europe and the USA. He also formed his own patents company in Glasgow. His most controversial scientific work, which was also his best known, related to his claim, made in 1880, that he had successfully synthesised diamonds. These claims have been investigated by a number of scientists including Sir Robert Robertson, (1869–1949) the first person to establish that two types of natural diamond existed, who took a great personal interest in them.
In the later years of his life Hannay turned away from scientific investigation and moved his attention to examining aspects of the origin and development of religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
and published a number of works critical of the Hebrew Scriptures. James Ballantyne Hannay died in 1931. A collection of archives relating to Hannay was collected by Sir Robert Robertson. These were gifted to the University of Dundee
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....
by Sir Robert's son, Robert H. S. Robertson, who himself carried out much research into the life and career of James Hannay. These records are now held by the University's Archive Services.
External links
Heritage: The Case of the Hannay Diamonds. New Scientist, 21 February 1980, p. 591.- http://www.helensburghheroes.com/heroes/james_ballantyne_hannay
- http://clanhannay.com/ClanHannay/history/51602-1983/1J_B_Hannay.asp