Edward Frankland Hardback: Chemistry, Controversy and Conspiracy in Victorian England - Tapa dura

'Russell's skilled handling of this material makes much of the book read like a good novel, displaying deep insights into the emotions and interactions of the characters ... at the same time ... he writes with authority on Frankland's contribution to chemistry ... a triumph ... it commands the reader's attention ... I commend it without reservation.' Fred Dainton, New Scientist

'Russell ... provides an overall account that can be understood and enjoyed by scientists from other disciplines, as well as by historians of science ... Such vivid details of Frankland's private life and fascinating insights into his relationships with other eminent Victorians make this a rich and rewarding read ... Frankland was undoubtedly one of Britain's most important and influential nineteenth-century scientists and it is good to see him properly honoured at last with a fine biography.' W. H. Brock, Nature

'Russell's thoroughly researched and meticulously documented book ... considers in engrossing and fascinating detail every aspect of Frankland's life and career and is likely to prove to be a definitive biography. We heartily recommend it to both historians of science and chemists interested in the development of their science.' George B. Kauffman and Laurie M. Kauffman, Angewandte Chemie

'... scholars will be grateful for this book.' R. N. D. Martin, Science and Christian Belief

'The full and unvarnished story of his life is told here for the first time in an eminently authoritative, meticulously documented and carefully crafted book. In spite of its enormous erudition, it is highly entertaining to read. The author has produced a work that is as near to perfection as books ever get.' Dennis H. Rouvray, Endeavour

'... unrivalled.' John Hedley Brook, Ambix

'... a fascinating book that is beautifully produced.' John Nicholson, Science and Christian Belief

'I thoroughly recommend this book to all with an interest in the history of science.' A. R. Butler, Education in Chemistry

'... a splendid book ... written in an imaginative and engaging style.' Maurice Crosland, Metascience

This is the first scientific biography of Edward Frankland, probably the most eminent chemist of nineteenth century Britain. Amongst many other achievements, he discovered the chemical bond and founded the science of organometallic chemistry (both terms are his invention). A controversial figure throughout his life, he became a leading reformer of chemistry teaching and for nearly forty years the government's close adviser on the purity of urban water supplies, arguably preventing a pandemic of water-borne disease. From an apprenticeship in a druggist's shop in Lancaster, he proceeded to London to become assistant lecturer in chemistry to Lyon Playfair, and then to a Ph.D. in Marburg under Robert Bunsen. After occupying the first chair of chemistry at Manchester he spent the rest of his career at numerous institutions in London, culminating in what was to become Imperial College. He was knighted in 1897. Today a certain obscurity of reputation stems from the conspiracy of silence surrounding Frankland's origins: he was the illegitimate son of a distinguished lawyer. Frankland never gave interviews and posterity has had to guess about many of his activities. Recently, however, Professor Russell has gained access to a vast collection of his private papers, and has discovered several other major deposits, making the Frankland archive one of the largest collections of scientific papers to come to light in Britain this century. These have been fully examined in this new study which discloses, amongst much else, webs of conspiracy in the scientific community that demand a radical revision of the social history of Victorian science. Russell's authoritative and lively account of Frankland'sachievements will be of great interest not only to professional chemists and historians of science, but also to general readers concerned with the social fabric of Victorian England.