Call Number:

Ms. Codex 2203

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Thomas Burnett chemist's notebook, 1829-1832, Ms. Codex 2203, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1829-1832 (inclusive)

Creator:

Burnett, Thomas, active 1829-1832

Form:

Notebooks, Laboratory notebooks, and Codices (bound manuscripts)

Abstract:

This volume contains chemistry notes, calculations, and tables written and compiled by Thomas Burnett in Durham and London, England between 1829 and 1832. Thomas Burnett & Son were English alkali and chemical manufacturers.

Thomas Burnett & Son were listed as "Alkali Manufacturers" and "Chemical Manufacturers" from Bill Quay, Newcastle and Dunston, Gateshead, England according to the volume's seller description which cites the Post Office Directory of Durham and Northumberland from 1870 and 1879.

There is additionally a Thomas H. Burnett listed in the 1861 England Census who is identified as a chemical manufacturer employing 320 men in Cumberland, Worthington, Durham, and Gateshead, England. At the time of the census, Burnett was listed as being 45 years old, meaning he could possibly be the creator of this volume or the son of this volume's creator.

This volume contains chemistry notes, calculations, and tables written and compiled by Thomas Burnett in Durham and London, England between 1829 and 1832.

It is a leather-bound volume with creator-supplied foliation and an index (p. iii). There are a significant number of blank pages (p. 20r-20v, 26r-35r, 55r-57r, 58r-61r, 62r-66r, 72r-82r). There is also an unlabeled diagram depicting an apparatus with a "drum" (p. 57v).

Examples of notes include sulfuric acid (p. 3v-4v), decomposition (p. 6r-7r), extracts of oxygen gas (p. 19r-19v), iodine (p. 25v), and magnesia (p. 45r-45v).

Examples of tables include decomposing table (p. 1r-2r), alkali calculation (p. 39v-42r), and a table of specific gravity of sulfuric acid when diluted with different portions of water constructed for the use of manufacturers (p. 51v-54v).

There is a single diary entry dated July 1830 that discusses Burnett and his father's arrival at and departure from Jarrow Alkali Works and Fryers Goose (p. 48r).