Thomas Graham (chemist)

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Thomas Graham
Graham's Law
  • Dialysis
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    Scientific career
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    Thomas Graham

    dialysis and the diffusion of gases. He is regarded as one of the founders of colloid chemistry.[3]

    Life

    Graham was born in Glasgow,Scotland and was educated at the High School of Glasgow. Graham's father was a successful textile manufacturer, and wanted his son to enter into the Church of Scotland. Instead, defying his father's wishes, Graham became a student at the University of Glasgow in 1819. There he developed a strong interest in chemistry, studying under Professor Thomas Thomson, who was impressed and influenced by the young man. He left the University after receiving his MA in 1824.[4]

    He later studied medicine at the

    Glasgow University Portland Street Medical School. In 1828 he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, his proposer was Edward Turner. He won the Society's Keith Medal for the period 1831–33.[4]

    in 1830 he was appointed to be the first professor of chemistry at the

    Chemical Society of London in 1841. In 1866, he was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
    .

    His final position was the Master of the Mint, where he stayed from 1855 until his death. He was the last person to hold that position:[6] afterwards the post was amalgamated into the Chancellor of the Exchequer while all the actual responsibilities were transferred to the Deputy Master.

    He died in Gordon Square in London but his body was returned to Glasgow for burial in the family plot at Glasgow Cathedral.[4]

    Publications

    • On the Law of Diffusion of Gases (1833)

    Scientific works

    Thomas Graham is known for his studies on the behavior of gases, which resulted in his formulation of two relationships, both since becoming known as "Graham's Laws," the first regarding gas diffusion,[7] and the second regarding gas effusion.[8] In the former case, Graham deduced that when measured repeatedly under the same conditions of pressure and temperature, the rate of diffusive mixing of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its density, and given the relationship between density and molar mass, also inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass.[clarification needed][dubious – discuss] In the same way, in the latter case, regarding effusion of a gas through a pin hole in to a vacuum, Graham deduced that the rate of effusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass. These two are sometimes referred to as a combined law (describing both phenomena).

    In applied areas, Graham also made fundamental discoveries related to

    colloids resulted in his ability to separate colloids and crystalloids using a so-called "dialyzer", using technology that is a rudimentary forerunner of technology in modern kidney dialysis machines. These studies were foundational in the field known as colloid chemistry, and Graham is credited as one of its founders.[6]

    He also proposed the

    macromolecular
    theory of 1920s.

    Honours, activities, and recognition

    Statue of Graham in George Square, Glasgow

    See also

    References

    1. ^ "Thomas Graham | British chemist". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
    2. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/11224. Retrieved 25 November 2019. (Subscription or UK public library membership
      required.)
    3. ^ "Colloid | Physics". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
    4. ^
      ISBN 0-902-198-84-X. Archived
      (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2013.
    5. ^ Williamson, Alexander (4 November 1869). "The Late Professor Graham". Nature. 1 (1): 20–22. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
    6. ^
      ISBN 978-81-203-3857-9
      .
    7. ISBN 978-0-521-87121-1
      .
    8. ISBN 978-0-618-31938-1
      .
    9. ^ George Square Thomas Graham Statue, Historic Environment Scotland

    External links

    Wikisource has original works by or about:
    Thomas Graham
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thomas Graham (chemist).
    Government offices
    Preceded by
    Sir John Herschel, Bt
    		 Master of the Mint
    1855–1869     		Office abolished
    Robert Lowe as Chancellor of the Exchequer
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