| AdminHistory | Harold Brewer Hartley was born in London on 3 September 1878, the only son of Harold Thomas Hartley and Katie Hartley. He was educated firstly at Dulwich College, before going onto study natural science (chemistry and mineralogy) at Balliol College, which he graduated from in 1900 with a first class honours.
He later became a Tutorial Fellow of the College and Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, and in 1926 he was elected to the Royal Society in recognition of his pioneering research in establishing the exact study of the physical chemistry of aqueous and non-aqueous solutions. In 1931 Hartley left Balliol to start a new career as Vice President of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company, however, he retained his interest in chemistry, with other positions throughout his lifetime including: President of the British Association for the advancement of Science (1950); President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (1951-52) and of the Society of Instrument Technology (1957-61).
Hartley also had a lifelong interest in the history of science. This culminated in his 18 years as editor of Notes and Records (1952-1970) and in his chairmanship in the British National Committee for the History of Science. |