# The Blue Plaque Initiative in London: Honoring the Contributions of Chemists
Established in 1866, London’s **blue plaque initiative** aims to recognize significant historical figures by marking the locations of their residences or workplaces. Currently managed by **English Heritage**, potential plaque recipients must have passed away at least **20 years ago** and have a relevant building associated with their legacy.
This esteemed accolade has recognized numerous professionals from various fields, including **eleven prominent chemists** whose breakthroughs advanced scientific knowledge. This article delves into these extraordinary individuals and their impact on the field of chemistry.
—
## **1. John Desmond Bernal (1901–1971)**
– **Profession:** Crystallographer
– **Plaque Location:** 44 Albert Street, Camden *(his residence)*
John Desmond Bernal was a trailblazer in **x-ray crystallography**, significantly aiding in the understanding of the **atomic structure of solid compounds**. His impactful work in **molecular biology**, especially regarding the **tobacco mosaic virus**, was notable. Additionally, he guided prominent scientists such as **Dorothy Hodgkin** and **Rosalind Franklin**.
Aside from his scientific contributions, Bernal was an advocate for the **social responsibility of scientists**, campaigning for enhanced governmental support for scientific research.
—
## **2. Henry Cavendish (1731–1810)**
– **Profession:** Natural philosopher
– **Plaque Location:** 11 Bedford Square, Bloomsbury *(his birthplace and home)*
Recognized as one of the foremost **experimental and theoretical chemists**, Cavendish is famed for **identifying hydrogen**—which he referred to as **‘inflammable air’**—and for demonstrating that **water is a compound** of hydrogen and oxygen.
His research in **gas chemistry** served as a cornerstone for modern physical chemistry, and his **Cavendish experiment**, which measured Earth’s **density**, had significant implications for **gravitational physics**.
—
## **3. Ernst Chain (1906–1979)**
– **Profession:** Biochemist
– **Plaque Location:** 9 North View, Wimbledon *(his home)*
A co-winner of the **1945 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine**, Ernst Chain, in collaboration with **Alexander Fleming** and **Howard Florey**, was instrumental in the **discovery and refinement of penicillin**. Chain’s research on antibiotics **transformed medicine**, preserving innumerable lives from bacterial diseases.
—
## **4. William Crookes (1832–1919)**
– **Profession:** Scientist
– **Plaque Location:** 7 Kensington Park Gardens, Notting Hill *(his home and place of work)*
William Crookes is renowned for his identification of **thallium** and for his significant experiments with **cathode rays**, which were pivotal in the development of **atomic physics**. His **Crookes radiometer** showcased how light can induce motion, remaining a classical scientific instrument.
His **vacuum tube research** also yielded findings vital to the progress of **electron and plasma physics**.
—
## **5. Michael Faraday (1791–1867)**
– **Profession:** Natural philosopher
– **Plaque Location:** 48 Blandford Street, Marylebone *(where he apprenticed)*
Despite not having formal schooling, Faraday made **landmark contributions** to **electromagnetism** and **electrochemistry**. His findings included **electromagnetic induction**, the **Faraday effect**, and foundational concepts of the **first electrical motor**. He also discovered **benzene** and investigated **electrolysis**.
Today, his legacy is honored in the **SI unit of capacitance – the farad**, named after him.
—
## **6. Edward Frankland (1825–1899)**
– **Profession:** Chemical scientist
– **Plaque Location:** 14 Lancaster Gate, Bayswater *(his home during his time at the Royal College of Chemistry)*
Frankland’s innovations **transformed chemistry**. He is credited with **establishing organometallic chemistry** and **uncovering valency**, a key concept in chemical bonding. Additionally, his research on **water quality** contributed to significant **public health reforms**, enhancing sanitation globally.
—
## **7. Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958)**
– **Profession:** Crystallographer
– **Plaque Location:** Donovan Court, Drayton Gardens, Chelsea *(where she resided from 1951 to 1958)*
Rosalind Franklin’s groundbreaking **x-ray diffraction images of DNA** provided critical insights into the **double-helix structure**, a revelation that ultimately contributed to the **Nobel Prize awarded to Watson, Crick, and Wil**.