Wollaston, William Hyde (1766-1828)

Three photocopies of transcribed (manuscript and typescript) letters by Wollaston, including some observations on a few crystals of the sulphate of potash and some notes on an optical instrument for the measurement of angles of crystals. Only one letter is dated: 1 Feb 1816. Plus a note stating Dr Wollaston's instructions for binding his set of the Annals of Philosophy (possibly in Wollaston's own hand-writing).

1816 and undated

4 letters

Transferred from W.H.M.M. offices, c.1936, previous provenance unknown (acc.91486); Purchased from Glendining, London, August 1934 (acc.67842); Purchased from Stevens, London, March 1931 (acc.56474).

English chemist and physicist. He obtained a doctorate in medicine from Cambridge in 1793 but while practicing medicine also became interested in chemistry, physics, crystallography and metallurgy. He developed a method of making platinum ore and discovered the elements Palladium (1803) and Rhodium (1804). He was the first to report observing the dark lines in the solar spectrum. He invented various optical instruments for the measurement of angles between crystal planes, of the refraction index of transparent solids, and to aid in accurate microscopic observations. In the last years of his life he carried out electrical experiments paving the way to the design of the electric motor. He became involved in a priority controversy with his fellow countryman Michael Faraday (1791-1867), who was undoubtedly the first to produce a workable electrical motor design, yet remained reticent to grant Wollaston credit for his earlier work. Wollaston was widely considered as one of the leading scientists of his time. He was elected to the Royal Society in 1793, which he served as its Secretary from 1804 to 1816. He died in London on 22 December 1828.

See WA/HMM/TR/Abc/B/3/10; WA/HMM/CO/Chr/J/57; MS.8007/67