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Scottish Chemist Andrew Ure and His Enduring Steam Baths

Andrew Ure, a Scottish chemist born in 1778, had an extraordinary career that left a lasting impact on the scientific world. Ure, who began his studies in medicine, found his true calling in chemistry and mechanics.

Ure's work was greatly influenced by the philosophical ideas of Jeremy Bentham, leading him to hold public evening lectures that stirred the imagination of educators worldwide. These lectures, unpaid and without a budget, were the only source of funds, relying on subscriptions from attendees.

One of Ure's most notable contributions was the introduction of the concept of normality into chemical analysis. He achieved this through his development of an 'alkalimeter'. Another significant invention was the steam bath for recrystallization, a piece of equipment that has stood the test of time.

The steam bath, electrically heated and still in use, is believed to be the oldest regularly used equipment in Ure's department. Made by Griffin and George, a renowned British scientific equipment supplier, the bath features concentric circular lids of different sizes. It is a simple metal box that sits on top of a kettle and was recommended by Michael Faraday.

Despite the age of the equipment, no specific details were provided about its age or the context in which it was first used. What is known, however, is that the steam baths have survived for well over a half a century.

Ure's life was not without controversy. He was known for his flamboyant showmanship and violent arguments with colleagues. His personal life was also marked by a public and acrimonious divorce, resulting from his wife's affair with a fellow professor.

Ure's work did not go unchallenged. He accused Thomas Thomson of fudging data in his work on atomic weights, which did him no favors. His criticisms were later echoed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in their work Capital.

Andrew Ure, a man of many contradictions, left an indelible mark on the world of chemistry. His steam baths, a testament to his ingenuity, continue to serve as a reminder of his significant contributions to the field.