Abstract
IT has been very kindly pointed out to me by Dr. K. R. Webb, of Southampton, that I have done less than justice to Cambridge chemistry by omitting to mention that it was I. Milner (1750–1820) who, although Jacksonian professor of natural philosophy and not a chemist per se, observed in 1788 that ammonia passed over heated manganese dioxide is converted into red fumes which dissolve in water to form nitric acid. This oxidation of ammonia now effected catalytically by atmospheric oxygen is the basis of the modern commercial method of preparing nitric acid. Both Milner and his successor, F. J. H. Wollaston (1762–1823), taught chemistry and published plans of their courses.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
CLOW, A. Chemistry at the Older Universities. Nature 155, 640 (1945). https://doi.org/10.1038/155640b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/155640b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.