Charles Loudon Bloxam--a Victorian university and military academy chemistry teacher.

Abstract

CHARLESLoudon Bloxam was for seventeen years (1870-87) Professor of Chemistry at King's College London. His books were in print for over seventy years from 1854 and his Chemistry textbook had eleven editions, five of which were edited by others subsequent to his death on 28 November 1887. Probably because his researches were not to a large extent of lasting notability, and his books are now outdated, Bloxam is a forgotten figure to contemporary scientists. However, his books aided countless teachers and students over very many years, and must have influenced the dawning of the present modern era of chemistry. His main objective was to inculcate in the novice in chemisty a lasting interest and love for the subject. He was particularly concerned for the needs of the practising chemist. Bloxam was born on 23 March 183I at Meriden in Warwickshire where his father was in practice as a doctor. Shortly afterwards the family moved to London, where his father set up his practice in Duke Street. In 1842 at the age of I I Bloxam enrolled at King's College School which was a section of King's College London on its site in the Strand. His school reports 1 indicated a considerable aptitude for mathematics and foreign languages but he lacked any accomplishment at classics. At King's College in the 1840's chemistry was taught by J. F. Daniell2 and W. A. Miller;3 the primary object of this teaching was towards medical students. As his father was a doctor it is perhaps surprising that in 1845 Bloxam proceeded not to King's College but to the newly opened Royal College of Chemistry where he was one of the first students under Professor Hofmann.4 Bloxam was distinguished as a student, and Hofmann statedS in his report to the Council of the Royal College of Chemistry in 1847: Mr. Bloxam is a youth of 16 years of age, but his zeal and perseverance inspire me with the best hopes for his future progress. In making this statement Hofmann touched on the characteristic of Bloxam which was to make itself evident in many incidents throughout his life-namely his perseverance. It was Hofmann's regard for Bloxam that resulted in his appointment to the post of Sub-Assistant in 1847 followed by promotion to Full Assistant in 1849. At the Royal College, Bloxam numbered among his contemporaries W. Crookes,6 H. Medlock,7 and F. A. Abel8 who were later to become distinguished scientists. His friendship and scientific collaboration with Abel resulted in their highly acclaimed Handbook of Chemistry, two scientific papers on nitric acid and the determination of nitre, and marriage in 1856 to Abel's sister Frieda. In 1850, realising that there was little prospect of advancement at the Royal College, Bloxam resigned and set himself up in private practice as an analyst and tutor at Duke Street. Bloxam's objective was to obtain a position in a College, preferably in London, but openings were few and by the time he was 2I Bloxam had become very depressed as to his future prospects.