John dalton biography pdf free

John Dalton (1766–1844) was a Manchester-based scientist whose pioneering work greatly advanced our understanding in multiple fields of research. His surviving apparatus and personal items are now in the Science Museum Group collection.

Early years and the move to Manchester

Dalton was born in what is now Cumbria in 1766. He became principal at a local Quaker school and taught there until 1793, at which time he moved to Manchester to tutor in natural philosophy and science at the Manchester Academy, a Presbyterian college. 

However, his teaching duties left him with too little time to pursue his own scientific interests, so he became a private tutor, including to a budding young scientist called James Prescott Joule (more on whom later).

Joining the 'Lit & Phil'

Soon after moving to Manchester, Dalton joined the Literary & Philosophical Society, which was at the centre of the city's scientific and business community. It was a discussion group set up to share scientific ideas at a time when science had yet to become a profession.

The Society gave him a room for teaching and research at its premises on George Street. Through this, he gained access to a well-equipped research laboratory, where his