14 Facts About Arthur Aikin

Arthur Aikin was an English chemist, mineralogist and scientific writer, and was a founding member of the Chemical Society.

Arthur Aikin first became its treasurer in 1841, and later became the society's second president.

Arthur Aikin was born at Warrington, Lancashire into a distinguished literary family of prominent Unitarians.

Arthur Aikin's father, Dr John Aikin, was a medical doctor, historian, and author.

Arthur Aikin's grandfather, called John, was a Unitarian scholar and theological tutor, closely associated with Warrington Academy.

Arthur Aikin studied chemistry under Joseph Priestley in the New College at Hackney, and gave attention to the practical applications of the science.

Arthur Aikin lectured on chemistry at Guy's Hospital for thirty-two years.

Arthur Aikin became the President of the British Mineralogical Society in 1801 for five years up until 1806 when the Society merged with the Askesian Society.

Arthur Aikin contributed papers on the Wrekin and the Shropshire coalfield, among others, to the transactions of that society.

Arthur Aikin was founder of the Chemical Society of London in 1841, being its first treasurer and, between 1843 and 1845, second president.

Arthur Aikin's writing and journalism were useful for publicising foreign scientific news to the wider British public.

Arthur Aikin was a member of the Linnean Society and in 1820 joined the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Arthur Aikin was highly esteemed as a man of sound judgement and wide knowledge.

Arthur Aikin never married, and died at Hoxton in London in 1854.