Michel-Eugene Chevreul, 1786–1889¹

Abstract

RECENTLY, in London, we celebrated the centenary of the discovery of benzene by Faraday and in so doing took occasion to proclaim Faraday's greatness as a chemist. The commemoration was remarkable, because it was held by the Royal Institution, where the discovery was made, in conjunction with three other associations: the Chemical Society, the Society of Chemical Industry and the Association of British Chemical Manufacturers. This was the first time these three bodies, which collectively represent all the interests of British chemistry, have shown themselves to be actuated by one purpose and have elected to work to a specific end, in harmonious, declared co-operation. In England, we regard the event as a happy presage of the union we have long sought to achieve—the union of our chemists into a single professional organisation.