Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 3.djvu/690

  [q. v. Suppl. II] he published ‘Note on the Measurement of Gases in Analysis’ (Proc. Roy. Soc. vol. ix. 1857–9); and ‘On a New Method of Gas Analysis’ (Jour. Chem. Soc. vol. ii. 1864).

Williamson was admitted into the Chemical Society on 15 May 1848, served on the council (1850–3, 1858–60), and was president (1863–5, and 1869–71). He was responsible for the introduction into the society's ‘Journal’ of abstracts of chemical memoirs of British and foreign authorship (see Journal, vol. xxiii. p. 290). He was president of the British Association in 1873 at the Bradford meeting, when he gave an address on the intellectual value of chemical studies and the duties of the government in relation to education; he presided over section B in 1863 (Newcastle) and in 1881 (York). At the latter, the jubilee meeting, he gave an address on ‘The Growth of the Atomic Theory.’ He succeeded William Spottiswoode as general treasurer in 1874, holding office until 1891.

Elected a fellow of the Royal Society on 7 June 1855, he served on the council (1859–61, 1869–71); from 1873 to 1889 he was foreign secretary. He received a royal medal in 1862 for his researches on the compound ethers and subsequent communications in organic chemistry (see Proc. Roy. Soc. xii. 279).

Many foreign bodies conferred distinctions on him; he became a corresponding member of the French Academy of Sciences, the Berlin Academy, and R. Accademia dei Lincei, Rome, respectively in 1873, 1875 and 1883. The Royal Society of Edinburgh made him an honorary fellow (1883); he was an honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy (1885), of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society (1889), and of the Society of Public Analysts (1875). He was also a foundation member (1872) of the Society of Telegraph Engineers (afterwards Institution of Electrical Engineers), and of the Society of Chemical Industry (1881). From Dublin and Edinburgh Universities he received the honorary degree of LL.D. respectively in 1878 and 1881; from Durham University that of D.C.L. in 1889.

Williamson was for some years examiner in chemistry in the University of London, and from 1874 a member of the senate. He took a prominent part in the introduction there of degrees of science, and was deeply interested in the formation of a teaching university for London. He was a member of the first electrical standards committee, inaugurated by the association in 1861. From 1876 to 1901 he was chief gas examiner under the board of trade, having succeeded Henry Letheby [q. v.].

Williamson, who wrote articles for Watts's ‘Dictionary of Chemistry’ (1863–6), was author of a text-book, ‘Chemistry for Students’ (1865; 3rd edit. 1873). Conjointly with T. H. Key he published the pamphlet ‘Invasion invited by the Defenceless State of England’ (1858). On 11 Nov. 1898 Williamson was one of six guests at a banquet given in London by the Chemical Society to those of its past presidents who had been fellows for half a century (see Proc. Chem. Soc. no. 199, speech by Williamson).

Williamson died on 6 May 1904 at his home, High Pitfold, Shottermill, Haslemere, and was buried at Brookwood cemetery, Surrey. He married in 1855 Emma Catherine, third daughter of Thomas Hewitt Key, F.R.S., headmaster of University College School, and had issue a son and a daughter, who, with his wife, survived him.

A subscription portrait of Williamson, painted by the Hon. John Collier, hangs in the council room of University College (see Nature, 20 Dec. 1888, speeches by Sir H. E. Roscoe and Williamson at presentation ceremony); another, executed in 1894–5 by Mr. W. Biscombe Gardner, was presented to the chemical department. An autotype portrait hangs in the council room of the Chemical Society in the series of past presidents. 

WILLIS, HENRY (1821–1901), organ-builder, born in London on 27 April 1821, was eldest of four sons of Henry Willis, a builder, who was a member of the choir of the old Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars Road, and of the Cecilian Society, where he played tympani and bass-drum. Of the organ builder's brothers, George became a celebrated voicer of organ reeds and Edwin was employed in organ building.

As a boy Henry taught himself to play