1. Charles Tennant was a Scottish chemist and industrialist.
22 Facts About Charles Tennant
1. 2.
Charles Tennant discovered bleaching powder and founded an industrial dynasty.
3.
Charles Tennant was born at Laigh Corton, Alloway, Ayrshire, the sixth of thirteen surviving children of farmer John "Auld Glen" Tennant, later of Glenconner, Ochiltree, Ayrshire, and his second wife, Margaret McClure.
4.
Charles Tennant was educated at home and at the Ochiltree parish school, then was apprenticed by his father to a master handloom weaver at Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire.
5.
The Tennant family were friends with the poet Robert Burns ; in his epistle to "James Tennant of Glenconner" Tennant is mentioned as "wabster Charlie", in reference to the occupation Tennant had undertaken.
6.
Charles Tennant was quick to learn his trade, but to see that the growth of the weaving industry was restricted by the primitive methods used to bleach the cloth.
7.
Charles Tennant left his well paid weaving position to try to develop improved bleaching methods.
8.
Charles Tennant acquired bleaching fields in 1788, at Darnley, in Glasgow, and turned his mind and energy to developing ways to shorten the time required in bleaching.
9.
Charles Tennant had the original idea that a combination of chlorine and lime would produce the best bleaching results.
10.
Charles Tennant worked on this idea for several years and was finally successful.
11.
Charles Tennant's method proved to be effective, inexpensive and harmless.
12.
Charles Tennant is known for his technique of macintosh waterproofing and he assisted in the invention of bleaching powder.
13.
Charles Tennant worked for many years in the reform movement, but it was not until he reached the age of 64 that his efforts had meaningful results, in the form of the Reform Bill of 1832.
14.
Charles Tennant conceived these ideas based on information provided by his good friend George Stephenson, a talented railway engineer.
15.
Charles Tennant was a key influence responsible for getting a railway into Glasgow, over the fierce opposition of the canal proprietors.
16.
Charles Tennant lived to see his empire grow to be the largest and most important in the world.
17.
Unfortunately when Charles Tennant attempted to protect his rights against infringement, his patent was held invalid on the double ground that the specification was incomplete and that the invention had been anticipated at a bleach works near Nottingham.
18.
In 1800, Charles Tennant founded a chemical works at St Rollox, Glasgow.
19.
The huge chimney known as the St Rollox Stalk aka Charles Tennant's Stalk towered over everything.
20.
Charles Tennant died at his home at Abercromby Place in Glasgow on 1 October 1838, aged 70.
21.
Charles Tennant is buried in Glasgow Necropolis where his monument stands on the upper plateau.
22.
The chemical business founded by Charles Tennant became known as the United Alkali Company Ltd.