John Dalton By: Taylor Smith chemist, meteorologist and physicist

Early Life of John Dalton Born in Cumberland, England, on September 6, 1766, to a Quaker family. He had two surviving siblings. Dalton and his brother were born color-blind. He was born into a very poor family. Dalton was just 12 years old when he started teaching at a Quaker school that he attended in his earlier childhood.

Early Career Dalton became the principal of a Quaker school in his village. John Dalton was noticed by a rich Quaker, Elihu Robinson, who taught him meteorology, mathematics, and other sciences. Robinson was a great influence for John Dalton's life. He remained a principal there until 1793, until he became a math and philosophy tutor at the New College in Manchester.

Early Scientist Life for Dalton For one of Dalton’s first research projects at his college, he pursued his interest in meteorology. Dalton was the first to publish the generalization that all gases initially at the same temperature expand equally on going to the same higher temperature. His research findings on atmospheric pressure were published in his first book Dalton also researched color blindness. Color blindness had affected both him and his brother since birth. Dalton theorized that it must be hereditary, and proved that theory true. As a result of his studies of red-green blindness, the condition is sometimes called the "Daltonism."

Dalton’s Law Dalton's interest in atmospheric pressures led him to examine gases closer. He learned that it was a mechanical system made up of small individual particles that used pressure applied by each gas independently. Dalton's experiments on gases led to his discovery that the total pressure of a mixture of gases added to the sum of the partial pressures that each individual gas exerted while occupying the same space.

Dalton's Atomic Theory Stated: All matter consists of tiny particles Atoms are indestructible and unchangeable Elements are characterized by the mass of their atoms When elements react, their atoms combine in simple, whole-number ratios

Later Career From 1817 to the day he died, Dalton was president of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, the organization that first granted him access to a laboratory that he used on his first research projects. Dalton continued to teach and lecture at universities throughout the United Kingdom. In 1837, Dalton had a stroke. He had trouble with his speech for the next year.

After suffering a second stroke, Dalton died on July 26, 1844, at his home in Manchester, England. He was provided a civic funeral and granted full honors. By finding a way to "weigh atoms“, research in color blindness, John Dalton's research not only changed the face of chemistry but also helped form modern science how it is today.

Major Events that Occurred in John Dalton’s Life April 1, 1775 "Boston Tea Party" rebellion for British Stamp Act under King George III. April 19, 1775 the first shot of the American Revolutionary War. November 30, 1782 Articles of Peace officially frees America from England Wm. Carey starts the India Missionary movement The Constitution of the United States is ratified by the states with the Bill of Rights Napoleon conquers Venice

1806 Frances II renounces the title of Roman Empire importation of slaves from other countries banned by U.S. Congress Greek War of Independence from Turkey Java War of Indonesians against Dutch The first baseball game is played in NY, and photography is invented Opium War in China results in Britain taking Hong Kong and Portugal taking Macao.

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