Manchester??s Scientists
Crabtree, Smith, Steptoe and White
Past, present and future, Manchester has been at the forefront of scientific enquiry and ingenuity. The City boasts a large catalogue of scientists and their groundbreaking discoveries and achievements.
William Crabtree (1610-1644) Crabtree was a star??
Born in Broughton, Salford, William Crabtree was educated at Manchester Grammar School. He was an enthusiastic astronomer whose accurate measurements and plotting of planetary movement revealed the negligence of his fellow astronomers. Crabtree predicted Venus??s passing across the sun in November 1939 and its reoccurrence on the 8th June 2004, which was witnessed by the whole of the United Kingdom. Crabtree himself was a star.
Doctor Robert Angus Smith (1817-1884) Science is smoking??
In 1872, Doctor Robert Angus Smith was the world??s first climatologist to identify acid rain and its dangers. He was an active campaigner for the prohibition of the use of fuels that produced smoke. He published a number of books, such as Acid Rain: The Beginnings of Chemical Climatology, which were invaluable in raising awareness and educating others about the dangers of smoky fuels and acid rain. As a result of Smith??s pioneering work Manchester and Salford were the first areas in Britain to have smoke-free zone and in 1972 Greater Manchester was declared the world??s first smokeless zone.
Doctor Patrick Steptoe A new science is born??
Working at the Oldham Royal Hospital, Dr Patrick Steptoe??s pioneering work into IVF treatment has helped reproductively-challenged couples all over the world to produce children.
Charles White (1728-1813) A taste of his own medicine??
Charles White was born in Manchester in 1728. He studied medicine in London and Edinburgh before founding the Manchester Royal Infirmary in 1752 where he worked as a surgeon for almost thirty years. In 1762 he became a member of the Royal Society and the Corporation of Surgeons and in 1790 White helped establish one of the first women??s hospitals. His efforts greatly reduced the mortality rate for Greater Manchester.
The scientific discoveries of our scientists have extended our knowledge of the world as well as the depths of the oceans and the expanse of space. Their imagination and innovation have raised the standards of living and have generated employment opportunities and wealth for the Manchester community. We are indebted to Manchester??s scientific predecessors, ordinary people who have made great achievements, who we have awarded the privileged title of ??scientist??.
Submitted by: Shelley Deasey and Charlotte Thorley, 16 September 2004
