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William Hyde WollastonEnglish chemist and physicist, scientist of the Royal Society of London
Date of Birth: 06.08.1766
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Chemical Discoveries
- Metallurgy and Medical Interests
- Electrical Studies and the Invention of the Battery
- Optical Innovations
- Legacy and Honors
Early Life and Education
William Hyde Wollaston was born on August 6th, 1766, in East Dereham, Norfolk, England. His father was an astronomer and clergyman, and his mother was Mary Farquier. Wollaston attended Gonville and Caius College at the University of Cambridge, one of the oldest colleges in Cambridge. He graduated with a medical degree in 1793 and became a fellow of Caius College from 1787 to 1828.
Chemical Discoveries
Wollaston's main interests lay in chemistry, crystallography, metallurgy, and physics. In 1803, he discovered the element palladium while testing a process for refining platinum ore. In 1804, he discovered the element rhodium through the same process.
Metallurgy and Medical Interests
Wollaston became wealthy from his discovery of a method for refining platinum ore on an industrial scale. He also conducted research on diabetes, attempting to demonstrate the presence of glucose in the blood serum of diabetics. However, his efforts were unsuccessful due to limited detection capabilities at the time.
Electrical Studies and the Invention of the Battery
Wollaston conducted important work in the field of electricity. In 1801, he showed that friction electricity was identical to that produced by voltaic piles. He pursued experiments in electricity in his later years, potentially laying the groundwork for the electric motor.
Optical Innovations
Wollaston also invented several optical devices. In 1807, he created the camera lucida. In 1802, he invented the refractometer. In 1809, he invented the goniometer. In 1812, he developed the first lens specifically designed for a camera.
Legacy and Honors
Wollaston was a member of the Royal Society of London, one of the oldest scientific societies in the world. He was awarded the Royal Society's Copley Medal in 1802. The mineral wollastonite and a crater on the moon are named after him. Wollaston died in London on December 22nd, 1828, and was buried in Chislehurst.
