Thomas Graham (chemist)

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Thomas Graham (December 21, 1805 – September 16, 1869) was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Graham's father was a successful textile manufacturer, and wished for 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. Here, he developed a strong interest in chemistry, and left the University after receiving his M.A. in 1826. He later became a professor of chemistry at numerous colleges, including the Royal College of Science and Technology and the University of London. Graham also founded the Chemical Society of London in 1841. Graham's final post was that known as the Master of the Mint, where he stayed for 15 years until his death.

[edit] Contributions to the scientific community

Graham is best known for two contributions:

1. His studies on the diffusion of gases resulted in "Graham's Law", which states "The rate of effusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass."

2. His discovery of the medical method known as dialysis, which is used in many medical faculties today, was the result of some of Graham's study of colloids. This study resulted in his ability to separate colloids and crystalloids using a so-called "dialyzer", the precursor of today's dialysis machine. This study of colloids initiated the scientific branch of research known as colloidal chemistry, of which Graham is credited as the founder.

[edit] Honours awarded

Royal Medal of the Royal Society (Given in 1837)
Copley Medal of the Royal Society (Given in 1862)
Prix Jecker of the Paris Academy of Sciences (Given in 1862)
Royal Medal of the Royal Society (Given again in 1863)
(Unofficial Honour) A statue of Graham given to Glasgow for his works ("Given" in 1872)
The University of Strathclyde (he worked at one of its precursor institutions) has named the building housing the Chemistry department after him-The Thomas Graham Building.