Thomas graham chemistry biography examples

He is regarded as one of the founders of colloid chemistry. 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 There he developed a strong interest in chemistry , studying under Professor Thomas Thomson , who was impressed and influenced by the young man.

Thomas graham contribution

He left the university after receiving his MA in He won the Society's Keith Medal for the period — He also delivered lectures to the Glasgow Mechanics' Institution before moving to take up a professorship at the University of London , [ 5 ] where Graham founded the Chemical Society of London in In , 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 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.

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.