Alexander Crum Brown, Professor of Chemistry, 1884

Alexander Crum Brown, Professor of Chemistry, 1884. Etching by W B Hole of Alexander Crum Brown (1838-1922). Brown was an organic chemist and pioneer of the use of graphic formulae - atoms linked by lines - which gave powerful support to the theory of structure. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1865 while he was extra-academical lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh (1863-1869). He was appointed Professor of Chemistry in 1869, holding the Chair until his retirement in 1908. From W B Hole's, 'Quasi cursores portraits of the high officers and professors of the University of Edinburgh' (Edinburgh 1884). ©SSPL/Science Museum