The chemical work of James Watt, F. R. S

The 250th anniversary of the birth of James Watt will be celebrated in January 1986. Watt is primarily remembered for his improvements to the steam engine, which were of such great importance in the early phase of the Industrial Revolution (1). It is less well known that throughout his life Watt was interested in chemistry. This article outlines the main themes of Watt’s chemical work. Watt learned the trade of instrument maker in London. On returning to his native Scotland in 1756 he was employed for a few months by the University of Glasgow in the repair of some astronomical instruments. During this time he met the newly appointed professor of anatomy and chemistry, Joseph Black, who may have assisted Watt in obtaining his appointment as mathematical instrument maker to the University in the following year. It seems possible that Black stimulated Watt’s latent interest in chemistry. Although Watt’s subsequent career took him away from Scotland, he remained in correspondence with Black until the latter’s death in 1799. This correspondence shows how keen and sustained was Watt’s interest in chemistry (2).