Person Rigg; Robert (1792 - 1861); chemist Rigg Robert chemist 1792 - 1861 British Male Bowstead [Boustead] Hill, Burgh-by-Sands, Cumbria, England 03 June 1792 17920603 Greenford Hall, Middlesex, England 26 February 1861 18610226 Burial: Greenfordd Church, Middlesex, England

2 Chatham Place, Walworth Road, London (1839)

Chemist; brewer Organic chemistry Education: Early education under Reverend Mr Milner; later transferred to Green Row School, Abbey Holme, exact dates unknown. Career: Joined his eldest brother at his newly established brewery business at Whitehaven, Cumbria, England, where the act of malting and brewing ignited his interest in chemistry (1814); moved to London, embarked on a career in chemistry, and entered into an agreement with Messrs Burnett, vinegar manufacturers of Vauxhall (1823-4); gave his undivided attention to organic chemistry and spent all his time in his laboratory (1835); elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (1839); removed from Chatham Place, Walworth Road to Greenford Hall, Middlesex (1841) where he busily engaged himself in experiments and writing out his manuscript for his book "Experimental Researches, Chemical and Agricultural, showing Carbon to be a compound Body, made by Plants, and decomposed by Putrefaction" (1844); intended to publish "On Analysis" but his failing health prevented him from doing so and soon afterward he was forced to abandon science (c.1850s). Parents: Robinson Rigg and Jane Rigg (née Peat), daughter of Robert and Mary Peat of Seaville, an established yeoman family in the Abbey Holme Siblings: Joseph Rigg Spouse: Anne Maria Perry (January 1834), orphaned daughter of Samuel Perry, Esq, London, she died of cholera (August 1834) Made significant contributions to the field of chemistry, with several of his research papers published by the Royal Society and the British Association. He investigated topics such as vinous fermentation, chemical changes in seeds during germination, and the nature of carbon. Notably held a unique view that carbon was a compound body, contrary to prevailing scientific beliefs. These views did not gain wide acceptance within the scientific community and faced significant opposition, including from prominent chemists Justus Liebig (FRS 1840) and Jean-Baptiste Boussingault. Published numerous papers between 1836-1846. Hi first essay "Experimental Inquiry into Fermentation" was communicated to the Royal Society in 1836 by his chemist friend, William Thomas Brande (FRS 1809). Fellow 25/04/1839 47 Sources: Bulloch's Roll Lonsdale, Henry, 1867, "The worthies of Cumberland", London, George Routledge & sons International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?AllField=robert+rigg&startPage=&ContribRaw=Rigg%2C%20Robert RCN R60919 3 Jun 1792 - 26 Feb 1861 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 01/11/2023 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA2868 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 03/04/2025 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes 73b7bc12-b4d1-4c19-a1c6-7b71b75202ad