Wilson Baker
Encyclopedia
Professor Wilson Baker FRS (24 January 1900 - 3 June 2002) was a British organic chemist
.
He was born in Runcorn
, the youngest of the four children of Harry and Mary Baker (née Eccles); his father was himself a chemist, having studied under Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe
and Robert Bunsen
, amongst others. Wilson entered Victoria University of Manchester
at the age of 16, and (having spent some time in France as a quaker volunteer during the first world war) graduated top of the honours class in 1921. He then undertook a M.Sc. with Arthur Lapworth
, before doing a Ph.D. with Sir Robert Robinson on the synthesis of isoflavones. This was awarded in 1924.
In 1927 he married Juliet Elizabeth Gaysier, and was appointed by William Henry Perkin, Jr.
to the Dyson Perrins Laboratory
in Oxford, where he remained until 1944. Late that year, he was appointed to the Alfred Capper Pass chair of organic chemistry at the University of Bristol, where he remained until his retirement in 1965. In his memory, a Wilson Baker lecture is hosted by the chemistry department in Bristol every year.
Wilson Baker's early research interests were in plant pigments, like Robinson's, but he also worked on the chemistry of Penicillin
during the war, and had interest in non-benzenoid aromatic hydrocarbons. The Baker-Venkataraman rearrangement
is partly named after him.
A committed Quaker, during his time in Oxford he became concerned with efforts being made for famine relief in Greece during World War II. He was a member of the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief which applied for funding under the War Charities Act 1940, and which later developed into the charity Oxfam
.
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
.
He was born in Runcorn
Runcorn
Runcorn is an industrial town and cargo port within the borough of Halton in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. In 2009, its population was estimated to be 61,500. The town is on the southern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form Runcorn Gap. Directly to the north...
, the youngest of the four children of Harry and Mary Baker (née Eccles); his father was himself a chemist, having studied under Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe
Henry Enfield Roscoe
Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe, FRS was an English chemist. He is particularly noted for early work on vanadium and for photochemical studies.- Life and work :...
and Robert Bunsen
Robert Bunsen
Robert Wilhelm Eberhard Bunsen was a German chemist. He investigated emission spectra of heated elements, and discovered caesium and rubidium with Gustav Kirchhoff. Bunsen developed several gas-analytical methods, was a pioneer in photochemistry, and did early work in the field of organoarsenic...
, amongst others. Wilson entered Victoria University of Manchester
Victoria University of Manchester
The Victoria University of Manchester was a university in Manchester, England. On 1 October 2004 it merged with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology to form a new entity, "The University of Manchester".-1851 - 1951:The University was founded in 1851 as Owens College,...
at the age of 16, and (having spent some time in France as a quaker volunteer during the first world war) graduated top of the honours class in 1921. He then undertook a M.Sc. with Arthur Lapworth
Arthur Lapworth
Arthur Lapworth was a Scottish chemist.He was born in Galashiels, Scotland, the son of geologist Charles Lapworth and educated at St Andrew's and King Edward's School, Birmingham. He graduated in Chemistry from Mason College...
, before doing a Ph.D. with Sir Robert Robinson on the synthesis of isoflavones. This was awarded in 1924.
In 1927 he married Juliet Elizabeth Gaysier, and was appointed by William Henry Perkin, Jr.
William Henry Perkin, Jr.
William Henry Perkin, Jr. was an English organic chemist who was primarily known for his groundbreaking research work on the degradation of naturally occurring organic compounds.-Early life:...
to the Dyson Perrins Laboratory
Dyson Perrins Laboratory
The Dyson Perrins Laboratory in the science area of the University of Oxford was the main centre for research into organic chemistry of the University from its foundation in 1916 until its closure as a laboratory in 2003...
in Oxford, where he remained until 1944. Late that year, he was appointed to the Alfred Capper Pass chair of organic chemistry at the University of Bristol, where he remained until his retirement in 1965. In his memory, a Wilson Baker lecture is hosted by the chemistry department in Bristol every year.
Wilson Baker's early research interests were in plant pigments, like Robinson's, but he also worked on the chemistry of Penicillin
Penicillin
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. They include penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V....
during the war, and had interest in non-benzenoid aromatic hydrocarbons. The Baker-Venkataraman rearrangement
Baker-Venkataraman rearrangement
The Baker–Venkataraman rearrangement is the chemical reaction of 2-acetoxyacetophenones with base to form 1,3-diketones.This rearrangement reaction proceeds via enolate formation followed by acyl transfer...
is partly named after him.
A committed Quaker, during his time in Oxford he became concerned with efforts being made for famine relief in Greece during World War II. He was a member of the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief which applied for funding under the War Charities Act 1940, and which later developed into the charity Oxfam
Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
.