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In Memoriam: Frederic G. Donnan
F. G.
I)ONNAE
IN MEMORIAM: FREDERIC
G. DONNAN
DECEMBER
16, 1956
F. G. Donnan, F.R.S., emeritus professor of the University College, London, died on December 16th, 1956, in Canterbury Hospital. He was 86 years old and died of old age. Born in Northern Ireland he had the warmth and temperament of the Irish. He was known as the great man in physical chemistry, and his interest covered a wide area from chemical thermodynamics to colloids. His pioneer contributions to colloid science were of fundamental value and remain so today. He investigated emulsification (l), interfacial tension (Donnan’s pipette) (2), ionic equilibria across semipermeable membranes (3), and the stability of hydrophobic dispersions (4). It is stated in this latter paper of 1912, that it is the electrical double layer which prevents particles from coagulating if their kinetic energy is insufficient to pierce the double layer. His interest was not restricted to the study of fundamental phenomena (in which he published about 40 papers), but overlapped into the industrial applications, making industry aware of the value of colloidal science (5). His imaginative mind was deeply touched by the problems of biological phenomena. He kept in close contact with eminent biologists and physiologists (A. V. Hill, Jacques Loeb), to find a way to apply his field, physical chemistry, to Life. His address on the “Mystery of Life” summarized his creed (6). “The last product of development [of Universe] is the mind of man” and ‘Science, truly understood, is not death, but the birth of mystery, awe, and reverence.” In addition to his experimental contributions in the field of physiology he made several attempts to find theories governing Life (7). He contributed in editing with Arthur Haas The Commentary on the ScientiJc Writings of J. Willard Gibbs (8), whose writings he greatly admired. PAUL
STAMBERGER
BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. 2. physik. Chem. 31, 42 (1899). 2. Engineering 99, 551-2 (1915). 3. 2. Elektrochem. 17, 572 (1911). J. Chem. Sot. 106, 1040-63 (1914). 4. Z. physik. Chem. 80, 597 (1912). 5. Brit. Assoc. Advance. Sci. Rept. 1918, ibid. 1920. 6. Smithsonian Inst. Ann. Rept. 1929, 309-21. 7. “Specific laws of theoretical biology.” Z. angeur. Chem. E&467-71 (1939). “Linkage of physikochemical process in biology.” Nature 148, 723-4 (1941). “Application of thermodynamics to the phenomena of Life.” J. Gen. Physiol. 8,685-88 (1927). 8. DONNAN, F. G., AND HAAS, A., “The Commentary on the Scientific Writings of J. Willard Gibbs.” Yale University Press, New Haven, 1936. 433
I)ONNAE
IN MEMORIAM: FREDERIC
G. DONNAN
DECEMBER
16, 1956
F. G. Donnan, F.R.S., emeritus professor of the University College, London, died on December 16th, 1956, in Canterbury Hospital. He was 86 years old and died of old age. Born in Northern Ireland he had the warmth and temperament of the Irish. He was known as the great man in physical chemistry, and his interest covered a wide area from chemical thermodynamics to colloids. His pioneer contributions to colloid science were of fundamental value and remain so today. He investigated emulsification (l), interfacial tension (Donnan’s pipette) (2), ionic equilibria across semipermeable membranes (3), and the stability of hydrophobic dispersions (4). It is stated in this latter paper of 1912, that it is the electrical double layer which prevents particles from coagulating if their kinetic energy is insufficient to pierce the double layer. His interest was not restricted to the study of fundamental phenomena (in which he published about 40 papers), but overlapped into the industrial applications, making industry aware of the value of colloidal science (5). His imaginative mind was deeply touched by the problems of biological phenomena. He kept in close contact with eminent biologists and physiologists (A. V. Hill, Jacques Loeb), to find a way to apply his field, physical chemistry, to Life. His address on the “Mystery of Life” summarized his creed (6). “The last product of development [of Universe] is the mind of man” and ‘Science, truly understood, is not death, but the birth of mystery, awe, and reverence.” In addition to his experimental contributions in the field of physiology he made several attempts to find theories governing Life (7). He contributed in editing with Arthur Haas The Commentary on the ScientiJc Writings of J. Willard Gibbs (8), whose writings he greatly admired. PAUL
STAMBERGER
BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. 2. physik. Chem. 31, 42 (1899). 2. Engineering 99, 551-2 (1915). 3. 2. Elektrochem. 17, 572 (1911). J. Chem. Sot. 106, 1040-63 (1914). 4. Z. physik. Chem. 80, 597 (1912). 5. Brit. Assoc. Advance. Sci. Rept. 1918, ibid. 1920. 6. Smithsonian Inst. Ann. Rept. 1929, 309-21. 7. “Specific laws of theoretical biology.” Z. angeur. Chem. E&467-71 (1939). “Linkage of physikochemical process in biology.” Nature 148, 723-4 (1941). “Application of thermodynamics to the phenomena of Life.” J. Gen. Physiol. 8,685-88 (1927). 8. DONNAN, F. G., AND HAAS, A., “The Commentary on the Scientific Writings of J. Willard Gibbs.” Yale University Press, New Haven, 1936. 433