Arthur Aikin
A chemist who helped build the professional foundations of his field, co-founding the Chemical Society and shaping its early direction.
1773–1854 (age 81)·English chemist, mineralogist and scientific writer·Birthday: May 19
Biography
Arthur Aikin moved through the scientific world of early 19th-century England not as a solitary genius, but as a crucial institutional builder. Born into a family of prominent Dissenters and writers, his intellectual path was shaped by the Unitarian emphasis on reason and inquiry. He trained as a chemist and mineralogist, but his lasting impact came from his ability to organize and communicate. Aikin was a central figure in the founding of the Chemical Society in 1841, serving first as its treasurer and later as its second president, roles where his steady hand helped guide the fledgling professional body. Beyond administration, he was a skilled scientific writer and editor, making complex chemical and geological knowledge accessible through publications like his 'Dictionary of Chemistry and Mineralogy'. His life's work was in the connective tissue of science—forging the societies, journals, and shared language that allowed chemistry to flourish as a modern discipline.
#1 When Arthur Was Born
The biggest hits of 1773
Arthur's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1773Born
1778Started school
1786Became a teenager
1789Could drive
1791Could vote
1794Turned 21
1803Turned 30
1813Turned 40
1823Turned 50
1833Turned 60
1843Turned 70
1853Turned 80
1854Died at 81
Key Achievements
- A founding member and the second President of the Chemical Society, established in 1841.
- Authored and edited the comprehensive 'Dictionary of Chemistry and Mineralogy'.
- Served as the long-time Secretary of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
- His scientific writing helped standardize and popularize chemical terminology in English.
Did You Know?
He was the brother of author and children's writer Anna Laetitia Barbauld.
His father, John Aikin, was a doctor and historian, meaning Arthur grew up in a fiercely intellectual household.
He initially studied medicine before turning his full attention to chemistry and mineralogy.
The Aikin family were prominent Unitarians, a religious background that heavily influenced their commitment to education and science.
“The true business of the chemist is not to make gold, but to prepare medicines.”
