MELDOLA, Professor Raphael (1849-1915)

Scope and Content

Papers of Professor Raphael Meldola, [1866-1907], comprising notes on experiments in qualitative analysis at the Royal College of Chemistry, [1866]; physical lectures by Dr Tyndall, [1867]; course on physics by Dr Guthrie, 1873; notes as a Demonstrator at Science Schools, 1877-1878; research notes, 1879, 1900; diary of eclipse expedition, 1875; lecture notes on organic chemistry, 1885-1890, including coal tar products, 1890; laboratory notes, 1904-1906; correspondence concerning the portrait fund for Sir John Evans, 1899-1900; Perkin Memorial Fund, 1906-1907, including letters from several German chemists; correspondence about a Maccabeans Dinner, 1905; general correspondence, 1862-1915; correspondence concerning a memorial for Herbert Spencer, 1904-1908; and a memorial for James Sylvester, 1897-1900; correspondence on the subject of thinnings in Epping Forest, 1894-1895; a scientific autograph collection, 1864-1907; plus additional autographs and press cuttings 1889-1915.

Administrative / Biographical History

Born, London, 1849; educated private schools, Royal School of Mines; teaching staff at Royal College of Science, 1872-1873; leader of British Eclipse Expedition to the Nicobar Islands, India, 1875; Demonstrator, Science Schools, 1877-1878; scientific chemist in factories of coal tar dyes, discovered many new products and processes; Professor of Chemistry, Finsbury Technical College, 1885; Society of Arts medallist, 1886, 1901; President, Entomological Society, 1895-1897; President, Chemical Society, 1905-1907, Society of Dyers and Colourists, 1907-1910, Society of Chemical Industry, 1907-1909, Institute of Chemistry, 1912-1915; Professor of Organic Chemistry, University of London, 1912; Davy medal, Royal Society, 1913; Advisory Committee on Chemical Supplies, Board of Trade, 1914; Vice-President, Royal Society, 1914-1915; died, 1915. Publications: include: Studies in the theory of Descent August Weismann. Translated and edited by R Meldola (Sampson Low & Co, London, 1880-82); Report on the East Anglican Earthquake of April 22nd, 1884 with William White (1885); The Chemistry of Photography (1889); Coal and what we get from it. A romance of applied science (1891); Arnold's Practical Science Manuals editor 3 vol (E Arnold, London, [1897, 98]); The Chemical Synthesis of Vital Products and the inter-relations between organic compounds (Edward Arnold, London, 1904); Chemistry [1913].

Access Information

Researchers wishing to consult the Archives should first contact the College Archivist, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, for an appointment.

Acquisition Information

Some papers found in the Royal Institute of Chemistry and presented to Imperial College by Dr W Smeaton of University College in 1970. Others transferred from Newham Archives and Local Studies Library 1998.

Other Finding Aids

A catalogue is available at the College Archives.

Separated Material

Correspondence and papers, [1878-1913], held at Oxford University Museum of Natural History; correspondence with Charles Robert Darwin (some copies), [1871-1882], held at Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Conditions Governing Use

A photocopying service is available at the discretion of the Archivist. Photocopies are supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Archivist.

Related Material

Records of the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (KC), papers of Francis Howard Carr (B/CARR), uncatalogued correspondence and papers, 1864-1908, held at Imperial College.

Bibliography

Raphael Meldola ... Reminiscences of his worth and work by those who knew him, together with a chronological list of his publications Sir James Marchant (Williams & Norgate, London, 1916).