James Young (Chemist)

He died at his home on May 13, 1883 in Kelly, near Wemyss Bay, and was survived by his wife, their three sons and four daughters. He was buried at Inverkip.

The James Young High School in Livingston, and the James Young Halls at the University of Strathclyde were named after him. In 2011, he was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame.

James Young was on July 13, 1811 at Glasgow, Scotland to John Young, a cabinetmaker. He became an apprentice to his father quite early in life, and educated himself studying at night school.

He worked in the mornings and attended evening classes at Anderson’s College from the age of 19 where he met Thomas Graham who was a lecturer in chemistry.

In 1831, James Young was appointed as an assistant to Thomas Graham, at times lecturing on his behalf. While working at Anderson’s College he came to be a friend of the famous explorer David Livingstone.

His first scientific paper in 1837 described the modification of Michael Faraday’s voltaic battery. Graham was posted at University College, London, Young moved with him, and helped him with the experimental work.

He was appointed manager at James Muspratt’s Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, in 1839. Five years later, he joined Tennants, Clow & Co. at Manchester, where he formulated a method of making sodium stannate directly from cassiterite.

In 1845, he proposed immersing potatoes in dilute sulphuric acid as a means of combating potato blight while serving on the committee of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society for investigation of potato blight.

In 1847, his was told about oil oozing from the Riddings colliery in Derbyshire. After considerable experimentation, he and Mr Edward Meldrum developed thick lubricating oil, and a thin oil suitable for burning.

In 1847, his was told about oil oozing from the Riddings colliery in Derbyshire. After considerable experimentation, he and Mr Edward Meldrum developed thick lubricating oil, and a thin oil suitable for burning.

He discovered that by slow distillation a number of useful liquids could be obtained from coal. One such liquid was “paraffine oil” which congealed at low temperatures. He patented his products in 1850.