Alfred Tribe

Abstract

ON November 26 died, after a very short illness, Mr. Alfred Tribe. He was born in London forty-six years ago in humble circumstances, and his first acquaintance with science seems to have been obtained as a boy at the Royal College of Chemistry. While waiting upon the students there he acquired whatever knowledge he could, and repeated in a back kitchen at home many of the experiments he had seen them perform. Prof. Hofmann, pleased with his desire for knowledge, gave him every encouragement and assistance in his power. At the age of sixteen he entered into the service of Dr. Medlock, then of Dr. Forbes Watson, and afterwards he assisted Prof. Williamson, of University College. He then went to Dr. Bernays, who after some time induced him to spend a year at Heidelberg under Prof. Bunsen, and kept his place at St Thomas's Hospital open for him while he was away. On his return he continued to act as laboratory assistant and Demonstrator of Chemistry.