Charles Tomlinson

Charles Tomlinson (27 November 1808 – 15 February 1897) was a British scientist who published papers on meteorology and the physical properties of liquids.

Biography

Tomlinson was born in Tottenham, Middlesex. He studied science at evening classes under George Birkbeck, the founder of the London Mechanics' Institute. In 1830 he joined his brother Lewis (who had taken holy orders) at a school in Berkshire, where he taught elementary Latin and French. A few years later, Lewis obtained a curacy near Salisbury, and the brothers founded a school in the city where Charles taught modern languages and experimental science.

Charles added to his knowledge of science by attending lectures at University College, London, and other places. He wrote articles for popular science journals, and some were included in The Student's Manual of Natural Philosophy (1838) which sold well. This encouraged him to settle in London in 1848, and through Parker's publishing house he came into contact with leading scientists with whom he collaborated.

He was appointed lecturer on experimental science at King's College School. During the 1840s and 1850s he published several notable scientific works relating to phenomena of the weather for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, alongside a range of scientific and literary works. He regarded his multi-volume Cyclopedia of Useful Arts (1852–1854) as his major work. In 1864 he was elected to fellowship of the Chemical Society; in 1872 he was elected to the Royal Society, and in 1874 he took a leading part in founding the Physical Society. As a scientist Tomlinson made valuable contributions to the knowledge of the surface tension of liquids.