Augustus Voelcker
Encyclopedia
Augustus Voelcker F.R.S.
(1822–1884), full name John Christopher Augustus Voelcker, was a Royal Agricultural Society
of England chemist
. Voelcker was known for his methodical and precise analytical practices as applied to agricultural chemistry.
until 1842, then in a similar capacity in Schaffhausen
until 1844, Voelcker entered University of Göttingen where he studied chemistry under professor Friedrich Wöhler
. He also attended University of Giessen
, where the German chemist Justus von Liebig
lectured on agricultural chemistry. He went to Utrecht
in 1846 to work as assistant to professor Gerardus Johannes Mulder
where Voelcker studied the chemistry of animal and vegetable production. In 1847 he went to Edinburgh as assistant to James Finlay Weir Johnston
, the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland's chemist at the time. Whilst in Edinburgh, he lectured at Durham University
and also became friends with the chemist George Wilson
. From 1849, as the first professor of chemistry at the Royal Agricultural College
, Cirencester
, Voelcker lectured on such topics as sewage.
Voelcker was recruited as consultant chemist to the Royal Bath and West of England Society
by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 11th Baronet
in about 1849. He was appointed consultant chemist to the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution
in 1855, a post he held until 1863, although he continued to maintain connections with the society. Voelcker contributed to the society's journal and lectured throughout the area. He was well aware of agricultural economics
, for, as he said He set up a private consulting practice in London in 1863; he provided advice in many fields including sewage
, water and gas supply, river pollution, and agricultural holdings. For example, by using the cost of ammonia
as nine pence
per pound
, and the cost of phosphate
s as two pence per pound, an 1885 book reported Voelcker as calculating the annual value of excrement
per adult as nine shillings (worth pound sterling
in ). He was elected chairman of the London Farmers Club
in 1875.
Voelcker's fourth son was Aurthur Francis Voelcker, M.D.
, F.R.C.P.
(1861–1946)
Works taken from Read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh
, 4 March 1850 Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 10 January 1850
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(1822–1884), full name John Christopher Augustus Voelcker, was a Royal Agricultural Society
Royal Agricultural Society
The Royal Agricultural Society of England was established in the United Kingdom in 1838 with the motto "Practice with Science". The RASE aim is to promote the scientific development of agriculture. The society received its Royal Charter from Queen Victoria in 1840.From its early days the society...
of England chemist
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
. Voelcker was known for his methodical and precise analytical practices as applied to agricultural chemistry.
Biography
After working as a pharmacist's assistant in FrankfurtFree City of Frankfurt
For almost five centuries, the German city of Frankfurt am Main was a city-state within two major Germanic states:*The Holy Roman Empire as the Free Imperial City of Frankfurt...
until 1842, then in a similar capacity in Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen is a city in northern Switzerland and the capital of the canton of the same name; it has an estimated population of 34,587 ....
until 1844, Voelcker entered University of Göttingen where he studied chemistry under professor Friedrich Wöhler
Friedrich Wöhler
Friedrich Wöhler was a German chemist, best known for his synthesis of urea, but also the first to isolate several chemical elements.-Biography:He was born in Eschersheim, which belonged to aau...
. He also attended University of Giessen
University of Giessen
The University of Giessen is officially called the Justus Liebig University Giessen after its most famous faculty member, Justus von Liebig, the founder of modern agricultural chemistry and inventor of artificial fertiliser.-History:The University of Gießen is among the oldest institutions of...
, where the German chemist Justus von Liebig
Justus von Liebig
Justus von Liebig was a German chemist who made major contributions to agricultural and biological chemistry, and worked on the organization of organic chemistry. As a professor, he devised the modern laboratory-oriented teaching method, and for such innovations, he is regarded as one of the...
lectured on agricultural chemistry. He went to Utrecht
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
in 1846 to work as assistant to professor Gerardus Johannes Mulder
Gerardus Johannes Mulder
Gerardus Johannes Mulder was a Dutch organic and analytical chemist-Biography:Mulder was born in Utrecht, and earned a medical degree from Utrecht University....
where Voelcker studied the chemistry of animal and vegetable production. In 1847 he went to Edinburgh as assistant to James Finlay Weir Johnston
James Finlay Weir Johnston
James Finlay Weir Johnston, FRS was a Scottish agricultural chemist.Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Johnston was educated at University of Glasgow, acquired a fortune by his marriage in 1830, and devoted himself to studying chemistry. He visited the chemist J. J...
, the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland's chemist at the time. Whilst in Edinburgh, he lectured at Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
and also became friends with the chemist George Wilson
George Wilson (chemist)
George Wilson was Regius Professor of Technology at the University of Edinburgh, and the first Director of the Industrial Museum of Scotland....
. From 1849, as the first professor of chemistry at the Royal Agricultural College
Royal Agricultural College
The Royal Agricultural College is a higher education institution located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Established in 1845, it was the first agricultural college in the English speaking world...
, Cirencester
Cirencester
Cirencester is a market town in east Gloucestershire, England, 93 miles west northwest of London. Cirencester lies on the River Churn, a tributary of the River Thames, and is the largest town in the Cotswold District. It is the home of the Royal Agricultural College, the oldest agricultural...
, Voelcker lectured on such topics as sewage.
Voelcker was recruited as consultant chemist to the Royal Bath and West of England Society
Royal Bath and West of England Society
The Royal Bath and West of England Society is a charitable society founded in 1777 to promote and improve agriculture and related activities around the West Country of England. Based at the Royal Bath and West of England Society Showground near Shepton Mallet in Somerset, the society is a...
by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 11th Baronet
Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 11th Baronet
Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 11th Baronet FRS was a British educational reformer and a politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1837 to 1886 initially as a Tory and later, after an eighteen year gap, as a Liberal....
in about 1849. He was appointed consultant chemist to the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution
Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution
The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution is an educational charity based in Bath, England. It was founded in 1824 and provides a museum, an independent library, exhibition space, meeting rooms and a programme of public lectures, discussion groups and exhibitions related to science, the...
in 1855, a post he held until 1863, although he continued to maintain connections with the society. Voelcker contributed to the society's journal and lectured throughout the area. He was well aware of agricultural economics
Agricultural economics
Agricultural economics originally applied the principles of economics to the production of crops and livestock — a discipline known as agronomics. Agronomics was a branch of economics that specifically dealt with land usage. It focused on maximizing the crop yield while maintaining a good soil...
, for, as he said He set up a private consulting practice in London in 1863; he provided advice in many fields including sewage
Sewage
Sewage is water-carried waste, in solution or suspension, that is intended to be removed from a community. Also known as wastewater, it is more than 99% water and is characterized by volume or rate of flow, physical condition, chemical constituents and the bacteriological organisms that it contains...
, water and gas supply, river pollution, and agricultural holdings. For example, by using the cost of ammonia
Ammonia
Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . It is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or...
as nine pence
Penny
A penny is a coin or a type of currency used in several English-speaking countries. It is often the smallest denomination within a currency system.-Etymology:...
per pound
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
, and the cost of phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...
s as two pence per pound, an 1885 book reported Voelcker as calculating the annual value of excrement
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
per adult as nine shillings (worth pound sterling
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
in ). He was elected chairman of the London Farmers Club
Farmers Club
The Farmers Club is a London club which is based at 3 Whitehall Court.-History:The club was founded in 1842 by the agricultural writer William Shaw, who invited the founder members from the newly-formed Royal Agricultural Society of England, and the Smithfield Club...
in 1875.
Voelcker's fourth son was Aurthur Francis Voelcker, M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
, F.R.C.P.
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
(1861–1946)
Selected works
- Several papers in German and Dutch scientific journals (1844–1846)
Works taken from Read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
, 4 March 1850 Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 10 January 1850