| Reference number | VF/07 |
| Alternative reference number | VF07 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Portrait of Sir William Crookes by Sir Leslie Ward |
| Artist | Ward, Leslie ['Spy'] |
| Vincent Brooks, Day & Son |
| Date | 21 May 1903 |
| Description | Vanity Fair cartoon titled 'Ubi Crookes ibi lux' featuring Sir William Crookes holding a glass piece of chemistry equipment. Full length, full face. Number 879 of the 'Men of the Day' series. |
| InscriptionContent | Recto inscription: 'VANITY FAIR May 21st 1903/ Vincent Brooks, Day & Son Ltd. Lith./ “ubi Crookes ibi lux”’ |
| Caption | MEN OF THE DAY. No. 879.
SIR WILLIAM CROOKES, F.R.S.
BORN, full of scientific imagination, one-and-seventy years ago, he is now fuller than ever of it, his steps in Science having been sometimes really inspired. He began life inquiringly; and at sizteen, after damaging much of the paternal furniture by acids and explosions, he was an active student in the Royal College of Chemistry; since when he has done so much to advance the science of chemistry and physics that he needs non supporter. He invented the Radiometer; he discovered Thallium and Radiant matter generally; he evolved the Genesis of Elements, and founded The Chemical News. He is a past President of all our best scientific societies, and he has published many practical works on many applied sciences; so that he has earned many prizes and medals both at home and abroad. Without the Crookes Tube the Rongten Rays were unknown; and he has this week shown at the Royal Society his newest invention, the Spintariscope; by which the curious scintillations of Radium may be readily seen. Altogether, he is a Man of Science who has done much to benefit the world very practically, and yet has a perfectly open mind which instinctively leads him in the right direction. He is ashamed of none of his beliefs, and many of them, formed years ago, have been absolutely proved by the advance of science; and it is not too much to say of him that he is a discoverer of great secrets that may leads us far into the Unknown.
He is a very straightforward, honest, simple man who believes in the truth; yet has he most kindly, courteous manners. |
| Format | Lithograph |
| Physical description | Coloured lithograph on paper |
| Dimensions | 380mm x 263mm |
| Notes | Bound as item 17 |
| Access status | Open |
| Copyright | The Royal Society |
| Provenance | Bound in volume owned by CS Sherrigton |
| Related material | Colour transparency, Box N101 |
| Related records in the catalogue | IM/001002 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA8188 | Crookes; Sir; William (1832 - 1919); chemist and science journalist | 1832 - 1919 |