Thomas Young (1773–1829)

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Royal Institution

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Thomas Young qualified and practiced as a physician but had many other interests. He was Secretary to the Board of Longitude, worked on translating Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, proposed a form of the wave theory of light and also worked on physiological optics.

Young was appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy in 1801 at the Royal Institution (Ri). As Professor his job was to promote science through lectures and demonstrations but, despite being an excellent researcher, Young was not an inspiring speaker and he left in 1803.

This painting is a copy of a portrait by Thomas Lawrence. It was commissioned James Dewar, then Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Ri in order to complete the record of its key professors.

The Royal Institution

London

Title

Thomas Young (1773–1829)

Date

1922

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 74 x W 63 cm

Accession number

RIIC 0492

Acquisition method

gift from Sir James Dewar, 1922

Work type

Painting

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The Royal Institution

21 Albermarle Street, London, Greater London W1S 4BS England

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