Description

Description: Thomas Graham’s autograph letter signed to William Hepworth Dixon is about a short paper submitted whose subject “is of a general character . . . [but] is exciting at the moment” and of “considerable interest among scientific men.” He has sent it to the literary magazine, The Athenaeum, for publication–“if found suitable.” Graham clarifies that the abstract, “although in type,” has not been published. In a postscript he thanks Dixon for his “excellent defence [sic] of Lord [Francis] Bacon.” The reference is likely to Dixon’s pamphlet, A Statement of the Facts in regard to Lord Bacon’s Confession (1861). The letter is signed “Very faithfully yours/Tho. Graham.”

Two page letter is written on a folded sheet of 7 ¼” x 9” ivory paper and dated “20 July 1861.” Item #A01837

Thomas Graham (1805-1869), the Scottish born chemist, is often regarded as the “father of colloid chemistry.” He formulated the law of diffusion of gasses–“Graham’s law”–devised the method of dialysis for which he was awarded the Copley medal in 1861, and invented many terms in colloid chemistry.

William Hepworth Dixon (1821-1879) was an English historian and the editor of The Athenaeum (1853-69). He was the deputy commissioner  and organizer of London’s Great Exhibition 1851.

Condition: Lightly toned at edges, generally very good condition.