Edward Frankland Armstrong, 1878-1945

Abstract

Edward Frankland Armstrong, the eldest of the seven children of Professor Henry Edward Armstrong and Mrs Armstrong (née Frances Louisa Lavers), was born on 5 September 1878; whilst still active, he was taken ill suddenly and died after an operation for appendicitis on 14 December 1945. His Christian names recall the early scientific association and friendship of his father with Sir Edward Frankland. In the family circle and to his intimate friends he was always known as ‘Frank’. He was born at 38 Limes Grove, Lewisham; but the ‘Armstrong tradition’ was always associated with the house, 55 Granville Park, Lewisham, to which Professor and Mrs Armstrong moved in 1882 and where Professor Armstrong died in 1937. It is easy to realize the origin of Frank Armstrong’s enthusiasm for scientific enquiry: equally, his organizing and business ability may well have been inherited through his mother, whose calm and quietly efficient management of Professor Armstrong and of the Armstrong household was readily appreciated by those privileged to be welcomed to it. Throughout Frank’s boyhood, his father’s reputation and achievement as a chemist were rapidly increasing and during many years Professor and Mrs Armstrong frequently entertained eminent scientists from many parts of the world as well as the Professor’s colleagues and pupils. Such a home atmosphere had a profound influence on Frank who, however, was given perfect freedom in choosing his life’s work. His father’s hobbies, nature study—especially flowers—and scenery, also became his own and his collaboration with his father in scientific investigation dates from this early period.