Alexander William Williamson, (1824-1904) Alexander was born in London in 1824. He studied at several European universities and studied some math and science. After college he then proceeded to being a professor of practical chemistry at the University London from 1849-87. He discovered the structure of alcohols and ethers, which gave him the ability to classify organic compounds into types according to structure. He also formulated the concept of dynamic equilibrium of a reaction and demonstrated the catalytic action of sulphuric acid in the synthesis of ether from alcohol. He also noted that some of the reactions and ethers is reversable. Alexander introduced the term dynamic equilibrium. Which basically means;If the rate of the forward reaction is the same as that of the reverse reaction, all compounds in the process coexist
He died May 6, 1904 in Surrey, England.
He died May 6, 1904 in Surrey, England.
Sources: 1. http://www.euchems.org/Distinguished/19thCentury/williamson.asp
2.http://www.answers.com/topic/alexander-william-williamson
3.http://en.allexperts.com/e/a/al/alexander_william_williamson.htm