James Finlay Weir Johnston
Encyclopedia
James Finlay Weir Johnston, FRS (September 13, 1796 – September 18, 1855) 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. Berzelius in Sweden and was a co-founder of the British Association for the Advancement of Science
. After some years he was chosen as a lecturer in Durham University
, but he resided in Edinburgh
, and wrote his Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry (1844), since translated into most European languages, and his Chemistry of Common Life (1853–1855). From 1847, his assistant was Augustus Voelcker
who also lectured in agricultural chemistry at Durham University. Johnston died in Durham on September 18, 1855.
Johnston formed a grammar school in Durham, which later merged with other local schools, such as Brandon
and Bowburn
, to form a single comprehensive school for the area, named Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
, preserving James Finlay Weir Johnston's name.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
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...
.
Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
, Johnston was educated at University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, acquired a fortune by his marriage in 1830, and devoted himself to studying chemistry. He visited the chemist J. J. Berzelius in Sweden and was a co-founder of the British Association for the Advancement of Science
British Association for the Advancement of Science
frame|right|"The BA" logoThe British Association for the Advancement of Science or the British Science Association, formerly known as the BA, is a learned society with the object of promoting science, directing general attention to scientific matters, and facilitating interaction between...
. After some years he was chosen as a lecturer in 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...
, but he resided in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, and wrote his Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry (1844), since translated into most European languages, and his Chemistry of Common Life (1853–1855). From 1847, his assistant was Augustus Voelcker
Augustus Voelcker
Augustus Voelcker F.R.S. , full name John Christopher Augustus Voelcker, was a Royal Agricultural Society of England chemist...
who also lectured in agricultural chemistry at Durham University. Johnston died in Durham on September 18, 1855.
Johnston formed a grammar school in Durham, which later merged with other local schools, such as Brandon
Brandon, County Durham
Brandon is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated a short distance to the southwest of Durham. Brandon was originally one of the seven townships within the ancient parish of Brancepeth. It grew from a sparsely populated agricultural area into a populous mining district after the...
and Bowburn
Bowburn
Bowburn is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated about to the south-east of Durham, on the A177, between Coxhoe to the south-east, and High Shincliffe to the north-west.It is part of the Cassop-cum-Quarrington parish.- History :...
, to form a single comprehensive school for the area, named Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
Durham Johnston Comprehensive School
Durham Johnston Comprehensive School is a secondary school in Durham, UK.IntroductionDurham Johnston is a 1500-place 11-18 school serving Durham City and communities beyond to the south and west. It is situated on Crosssgate Moor, on the A167...
, preserving James Finlay Weir Johnston's name.