29 Interesting Facts about John Newlands

Dan August 22, 2023

John Newlands, an English chemist, is known for his contributions to the development of the periodic table of elements during the mid-19th century. Born on November 26, 1837, in London, Newlands displayed a keen interest in chemistry from an early age. His work paved the way for the organization and classification of elements based on their properties and atomic weights.

Newlands proposed his version of the periodic table in 1863, which he called the “Law of Octaves.” He observed that when elements were arranged in order of increasing atomic weights, similar properties recurred every eighth element, similar to the pattern of musical octaves. While his classification faced skepticism at the time, it laid the groundwork for the development of the modern periodic table.

Despite initial resistance, Newlands’ ideas were later recognized for their significance. His work influenced Dmitri Mendeleev, a Russian chemist, who independently developed a more comprehensive periodic table that accurately predicted the properties of yet-to-be-discovered elements. Mendeleev’s table gained widespread acceptance, leading to the establishment of the modern periodic table that we use today.

While John Newlands’ “Law of Octaves” was not fully accurate, his contributions marked a significant step in understanding the patterns and relationships among elements. His pioneering efforts in organizing chemical elements based on their properties played a crucial role in the evolution of modern chemistry and continue to be acknowledged as a cornerstone of the field’s development.

If you are interested to know more about John Newlands, let’s take a look at these 29 interesting facts about him.

1. John Alexander Reina Newlands was born on November 26, 1837, in London, England.
2. He was the eldest of five children in his family.
3. Newlands attended the Royal College of Chemistry in London (now part of Imperial College London).
4. He worked as a chemist and analytical chemist throughout his career.
5. Newlands was a founding member of the Chemical Society of London (now the Royal Society of Chemistry).
6. He coined the term “periodic law” to describe the recurring patterns he observed among elements.
7. In 1864, Newlands published his work titled “On Relations among the Equivalents,” where he presented his “Law of Octaves.”
8. The “Law of Octaves” proposed that when elements were arranged in order of increasing atomic weights, similar properties recurred every eighth element.
9. Newlands arranged the elements in rows of seven, similar to the musical scale.
10. He faced criticism and resistance from some of his contemporaries for his “Law of Octaves.”
11. Despite the initial skepticism, Newlands’ work laid the foundation for the concept of periodicity in elements.
12. His periodic classification was an early attempt to organize the known elements based on their properties and atomic weights.
13. Newlands was ahead of his time in recognizing the periodicity of elements, even though his classification was not entirely accurate.
14. His work paved the way for the more comprehensive and accurate periodic table developed by Dmitri Mendeleev.
15. Newlands’ classification included elements that were unknown at the time, predicting the existence of future elements.
16. He also contributed to the fields of spectroscopy and organic chemistry.
17. Newlands proposed the “law of triads,” another attempt to classify elements based on similar properties.
18. Despite his significant contributions, Newlands faced financial difficulties throughout his life.
19. He worked as an analyst for the British Post Office, which helped support him financially.
20. Newlands’ work on the periodic table was largely ignored during his lifetime.
21. He died on July 29, 1898, at the age of 60.
22. Newlands is buried in West Norwood Cemetery in London.
23. His contributions to the periodic table were eventually recognized, and his name is associated with the development of the concept of periodicity.
24. The Royal Society of Chemistry established the Newlands Memorial Fund to honor his legacy.
25. Newlands’ periodic table ideas inspired later chemists to refine and expand the concept.
26. The significance of his contributions grew over time as the understanding of elements and their properties deepened.
27. His work exemplifies the challenges and breakthroughs that often characterize scientific progress.
28. Newlands’ ideas remind us of the importance of persistence and openness to new ideas in the scientific community.
29. His innovative approach to classifying elements paved the way for the development of the modern periodic table, which is a cornerstone of chemistry education and research.

John Newlands emerges as a visionary whose ideas laid the groundwork for the intricate tapestry of the periodic table. His “Law of Octaves” and early attempts at classifying elements based on their properties marked a pivotal moment in our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of matter. Despite the initial skepticism and challenges he faced, Newlands’ insights into the periodicity of elements echoed through time, resonating with the work of later scientists like Mendeleev. His legacy underscores the iterative nature of scientific discovery, reminding us that even ideas that may seem ahead of their time can eventually find their place in the evolving mosaic of human knowledge.