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William Hyde Wollaston
(August 6, 1766 - December 22, 1828)

Reference to William Hyde Wollaston (August 6, 1766 - December 22, 1828) is found in most encyclopędias. He was a chemist and physicist whose many achievements include the discovery of the elements palladium and rhodium and the dark lines in the spectrum of the Sun. Born in East Dereham, Norfolk, he was the son of the Rev Francis Wollaston, F.R.S., an amateur astronomer. William graduated in medicine from Cambridge University in 1793. During his university days he became interested in chemistry, crystallography, metallurgy, botany and physics. In 1800 he began to concentrate on these diverse interests instead of his trained vocation. William became wealthy enough to pursue his great curiosity all things scientific by developing a physico-chemical method for processing platinum ore and in the process of testing the device he discovered the elements palladium in 1803 and rhodium 1804. His study of the geometrical arrangements of atoms led him into crystallography. To aid his research he invented the reflecting goniometer to measure angles of crystal faces. His catalogue of discoveries and inventions seems almost endless; he developed a method of making platinum malleable, proved the identity of voltaic and frictional electricity, invented the camera lucida to aid microscopists and he also proved the elementary nature of niobium and titanium. The mineral Wollastonite was named after him.

During the latter years of his life he performed electrical experiments that would pave the way to the eventual design of the electric motor. However, controversy erupted when Michael Faraday, who was undoubtedly the first to construct a working electrical motor, refused to grant Wollaston credit for his earlier work. William is also noted for his observations of dark lines in solar spectrum, which eventually led to the discovery of the elements in the Sun. This research was continued by Fraunhofer who gave his name to the lines.

William was prominent in his work on optical devices. He invented the total reflection refractometer for measuring refractive indexes. Amongst his many improvements to optical devices were improvements to the microscope. His reflective goniometer is still used today for measuring the angles of crystals

He lived at a time when there were few barriers between sciences and he was able to turn his fertile mind to many topics. He returned to his medical training to carry out some research into the constituents of stones in the bladder and kidney These were common compaints of the time and his uncle, Dr Heberden, had done some research. As a result of this work he discovered the substance now called cystine.

In these days when we are increasingly losing our traditional weights and measures, it is interesting two contributions in this field from this outstanding man. When the Weights and Measures Act of 1824 was being compiled he suggested that the varying liquid measures used regionally and in different trades should be standardised and devised the imperial gallon that we use today (when we don't use litres!). He also devised a table or reckoner for working out exchange rates. This was for his banker brother Henry Septimus.

He published no less than 56 papers on all kinds of scientific subjects, almost everyone marking a distinct step forward in its field.

In 1793 he was elected to the Royal Society and served as the Society's Secretary from 1804 to 1816. In 1820 he became the Society's President.

Bibliography:
Encyclopędia Britannica 1911 & 2000
Chambers' Encyclopędia 1956
History of the Wollaston Family. H.W. Wollaston 1960