Contents
William Crookes
Discovering thallium and investigating electrical discharges in vacuum tubes
Thallium discovery · Crookes tube
- Born
- 17 June 1832
- Birthplace
- London
- Died
- 4 April 1919
More people
William Crookes
William Crookes was a British chemist and physicist whose experiments ranged from spectroscopy to low-pressure electrical discharges. His instruments became important tools for investigating matter.
Early life
Chemistry training
Entered the Royal College of Chemistry at sixteen and became an assistant to August Wilhelm von Hofmann.
Career
- 1861
Thallium
Announced a new element identified through spectroscopy.
- 1870s
Vacuum experiments
Investigated cathode rays using highly evacuated tubes.
Contributions
Thallium discovery
Recognised the element through its distinctive spectral signature.
Crookes tube
Developed apparatus used in research on electrical discharges.
Beyond work
London family
He was a son of tailor and property investor Joseph Crookes and Mary Scott.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: George Charles Beresford (1864-1938). Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.