Scientist of the day - John Dalton

John Dalton

Quick Facts

Nationality: British    Famous British Men, Born on : 06 September 1766 AD,Died on: 27 July 1844 AD

Discoveries / inventions: Atomic Theory, Law Of Multiple Proportions, Dalton's Law Of Partial Pressures, Daltonism 

Considered to be the father of ‘modern atomic theory’, John Dalton was also a pioneer of weather forecast and was one of the first scientists to use homemade instruments to make weather observations. Much of his early works and observations using meteorological instruments laid the foundation for the study of weather forecasting. His fascination for the weather and atmosphere lead him to pursue research on ‘the nature of gases’, which in turn laid the ground on which he built the ‘atomic theory’. Today, he is known primarily for his work on atomic theory and although more than two centuries old, his theory still remains valid in the field of modern chemistry. Inquisitive by nature, his diligent research and meddlesome nature led him to make many discoveries in fields other than chemistry. He also made a study on colour-blindness, a condition from which he personally suffered. A non-conformist and ‘dissenter’, Dalton refused to accept much of his deserved fame and recognition and chose to live a simple and modest life. Today, his theories help modern scuba divers gauge oceanic pressure levels and have also facilitated cost-effective manufacturing of chemical compounds. To learn more interesting facts about his personal life and professional achievements, scroll down and continue to read this biography. 

Major Works

• In 1801, he came up with the ‘Dalton Law’ also known as Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures’. This theory is used by scuba divers today to gauge pressure levels at different depths of the ocean and its effect on air and nitrogen levels.
• He coined the term ‘Daltonism’, which is a term for colour blindness and it became synonymous with his name. He elaborated on this topic in his 1798 paper titled ‘Extraordinary facts relating to the vision of colours, with observation’.
• In his 1808 publication ‘A New System of Chemical Philosophy’, he coined the atomic theory and was the first scientist to prepare a table on atomic weights. This theory is considered valid even today and laid the foundation for further studies in this field.

  Awards & Achievements
• In 1794, he was elected as a member of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

In 1800, he was appointed as the secretary of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society and became the President of the society in 1817.

Trivia

A large statue of this scientist was erected in the Manchester Town Hall while he was still alive and probably he was the only scientist who got a statue in his lifetime.