Abstract
BY the death of MR. J. S. MACARTHUR on March 16 industrial chemistry has lost a notable exponent. Mr. MacArthur's name will always be remembered in connection with the Forrest-MacArthur patent for the extraction of gold from its ores by means of cyanide. It is given to few men to discover a process which has had such a far-reaching effect in almost every branch of civilised life. The influence of an enormously increased quantity of gold available for mankind has been—as, indeed, it must be—profound, no matter whether it is for good or for evil. Compared with the huge sums of money involved, the amount accruing to Mr. MacArthurout of this patent was infinitesimal. His type was essentially a pioneering one. The initial work in connection withthe extraction of gold was carried out with small funds in a laboratory which was in reality a cellar at the back of a Glasgow tenement house. After this work was completed, Mr. MacArthur engaged in many commercial ventures in connection with chemistry and mining, but, with the possible exception of his last, none of them seemed to possess the elements of permanent success. This was the extraction of radium from its ores, which he carried on first of all in Cheshire, and then practically on the shores of Loch Lomond, in order to avail himself of the purest possible water. He was proud of his works there,and delighted to feel that he was able to carry on his work in the midst of such beautiful surroundings. Mr. MacArthur's personality was delightful and genial. His travels had been world-wide, and to anyone interested in mineralogy and travel he was indeed entertaining.
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[Obituaries]. Nature 105, 112 (1920). https://doi.org/10.1038/105112a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/105112a0