Thomas Anderson

Who was Thomas Anderson?

Thomas Anderson was a noted 19th-century chemist. In 1853 his work on alkaloids led him to discover the correct structure for codeine. In 1868 he discovered pyridine and related organic compounds such as picoline through studies on the distillation of bone-oil and other animal matter.

As well as his work on organic chemistry, Anderson made important contributions to agricultural chemistry, writing over 130 reports on soils, fertilisers and plant diseases. He kept abreast of all areas of science, and was able to advise his colleague Joseph Lister on Pasteur's germ theory and the use of carbolic acid as an antiseptic.

Born and reared in Edinburgh, Thomas Anderson graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a medical doctorate in 1841. Having developed an interest in chemistry during his medical studies, he then spent several years studying chemistry on European continent including spells under Jöns Jakob Berzelius in Sweden and Justus von Liebig in Germany. Returning to Edinburgh, he worked at the University of Edinburgh and at the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.