Thomas Thomson
(1773-1852), ChemistRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 3 portraits
Educated at the University of St Andrews in classics, mathematics and natural philosophy, he decided to take up chemistry as a career. From 1796 to 1800, he acted as Assistant Editor of the Supplement to the Third Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, to which he contributed the articles 'Chemistry', 'Mineralogy', and 'Vegetable, animal and dyeing substances'; these formed the basis of his System of Chemistry (1802). This work was highly successful, running through six editions, and securing Thomson's reputation as a chemist. In 1813, he founded a scientific journal, Annals of Philosophy, which he edited for a number of years. He was appointed Regius Professor of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow in 1817.
Men of Science Living in 1807-8
by Sir John Gilbert, and Frederick John Skill, and William Walker, and Elizabeth Walker (née Reynolds)
pencil and wash, 1858-1862
NPG 1075
Engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by George Zobel, and William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075a
Key to engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075b
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