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Lyon Playfair, Scottish chemist and politician, 1881. Artist: Edward Linley Sambourne
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Lyon Playfair, Scottish chemist and politician, 1881. Artist: Edward Linley Sambourne
Lyon Playfair, Scottish chemist and politician, 1881. Playfair (1818-1898) in the chair as Deputy Speaker of the Commons during a late night session. Playfair studied chemistry at Glasgow under Thomas Graham, and under Liebig at Giessen. Professor of chemistry at Edinburgh University from 1858-1896, he discovered the nitroprusside class of salts. Playfair was appointed chemist to the Geological Survey in 1846 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society 1848. He was engaged in the organisation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Liberal MP for the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh from 1868-1885, Playfair served as Secretary of State for Science and Art in 1855 and was Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons from 1880-1883. He was knighted in 1883 and was created a Baron in 1892. Cartoon in the Fancy Portraits series from Punch. (London, 12 February 1881)
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Media ID 14863753
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Candle Candles Chemist Chemistry Edward Linley Edward Linley Sambourne House Of Commons Late Liberal Liberal Party Member Of Parliament Oxford Science Archive Parliament Playfair Professor Sambourne Scientist Sir Lyon Sir Lyon Playfair Speaker Of The House The Right Hon Sir Lyon Playfair Tired Weary Yawning Scots Weariness
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this black and white portrait, we see Sir Lyon Playfair, a prominent Scottish chemist and politician of the 19th century. The photograph was taken in 1881 by the talented artist Edward Linley Sambourne as part of his Fancy Portraits series for Punch magazine. Sir Lyon Playfair's distinguished career is evident from the weariness etched on his face. As Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons during a late-night session, he embodies both dedication and exhaustion. His expertise in chemistry, acquired through studies under renowned scientists such as Thomas Graham and Liebig, led him to become a professor at Edinburgh University where he made significant discoveries in nitroprusside salts. Playfair's contributions extended beyond academia; he served as Secretary of State for Science and Art in 1855 and later became an influential Liberal Member of Parliament representing Glasgow and Edinburgh universities. Knighted in 1883 and elevated to Baron status in 1892, Playfair played an instrumental role in organizing the Great Exhibition of 1851. This cartoon-like engraving captures not only Playfair's profession but also his political involvement within Victorian Britain. The flickering candle beside him symbolizes both enlightenment through scientific discovery and the long hours spent debating important matters within parliament. Edward Linley Sambourne skillfully portrays Sir Lyon Playfair's tired yet determined expression, offering us a glimpse into the life of this remarkable scientist-statesman who left an indelible mark on British history.
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