Dalton, John (b. Sept. 6, 1766, Eaglesfield, Cumberland. Eng.- d. July 27, 1844, Manchester), British chemist and physicist who developed the atomic theory of matter and hence is known as one of the fathers of modern physical science. Dalton was the son of a Quaker weaver. When only 12 he took charge of a Quaker school in Cumberland and two years later taught with his brother at a school in Kendal, where he was to remain for 12 years. He …showed first 75 words of 1243 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1243 total…doubt because of this opportunity for revision. His documents were destroyed during the bombings of England in World War II. A fellow of the Royal Society, from whom he received the Gold Medal in 1826, and a corresponding member of the French Academy of Sciences, John Dalton was also cofounder of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. At his death more than 40,000 people came to Manchester to pay their final respects. (A.B.Ga.)