Edward Schunck (1829-1903)
Edward Schunck (1829-1903) Ph.D., F.R.S., Kersal, near Manchester.
1829 Born at Manchester the son of Martin Schunck
1887 Exhibited complete collection illustrative of Schunck’s researches on the principles contained in Madder. Quercitron and the Cotton Fibre. Chromogens from Lichens, &c. Constituents of Natural Indigo. Colouring Matters and other Compounds from Madder.
1903 Died. 'Edward Schunck, who was famous for his discoveries in the processes of dyeing and aud was author of numerous papers on the chemistry organic colouring matters, died at his residence, Kersal, near Manchester, yesterday morning.'[1]
1903 Obituary.[2]
The death is announced of Dr. Edward Schunck, Ph.D., D.Sc, and F.R.S., who resided at Oaklands, Kersal, where his demise took place at half-past six this morning. By the death of Dr. Edward Schunck Manchester loses one of its most eminent citizens and one of the most accomplished professors of chemical science of his time. Though not taking the front rank occupied by such men as Dr. Dalton or Dr. Jcule, it may be safely said that Dr. Schunck's name will be hereafter associated with the most eminent men Manchester has produced.
Dr. Schunck was connected with family who for the greater part of the last century held the very highest position attainable in the commercial circles of Manchester. His grandfather was Herr Carl Schunck, an officer in the army of the Elector of Hesse, who went with his regiment (in which he held the rank of Major) to America, where he fought, on the side of the British, the struggle which ended in the establishment of the United States as an independent Power. Dr. Schunck's father, the late Mr. Martin Schunck, who was the youngest son of this officer, after being educated in Switzerland, turned his attention to commercial pursuits, first engaging in what was then known as the "Italian trade," in Malta, afterwards settling down (early on in the first decade of the last century) as a merchant in Manchester.
Mr. Martin Schunck, who had at that period warehouse Bow Lane, with residence the adjoining Princess-street, was said to have "been a man of" much knowledge, of human nature, great energy, and amassed considerable fortune."
His son, Edward was born at his father's then residence, in Princess-street, Manchester, in 1829. His school education was mostly received in Manchester, but with the view of undertaking the management of his father's then extensive calico-printing works at Belfield, near Rochdale, was decided he should go to Germany and study chemistry. At Berlin, as a student under Rose and Magnus, he showed considerable aptitude for his work. Subsequently he went to Giessen, and studied under the great chemistry master Liebig, under whom he received the degree of Ph.D. Returning from Germany to Manchester, he was some years engaged at the print-works. Finding this work rather irksome, and not sufficiently wide for his researches and appliances, he eventually abandoned practical work, and devoted himself to pure science. Doubtless his early attention being directed to the chemistry of colouring matters in connection with the processes of dyeing and printing led up to his subsequent famous studies and researches in the world of chemical science. Dr. Schnnck's first paper was the action of nitric acids in aloes." The result of this investigation was the discovery of a new and remarkable nitro acid, with curious optical properties, the chief products being remarkable substance resembling indigo-blue, which crystallises in blue needles with a coppery lustre. Following this came various learned and important papers contributed to the proceedings of the Chemical Society.
From 1846 until 1855 Dr. Schunck was engaged in the chief work of his many researches in chemical science. This was on the subject of the colouring matters of madder, then one of the most important dye-stuffs used in calico printing, but which has since been replaced by artificial alizarin. To Dr. Schunck must be given the credit of being the first chemist to obtain alizarin in state of purity from the madder root; in its way, especially in the commercial communities Lancashire, a work of the very first importance.
Few men have been more distinguished members of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society during the last century (which, perhaps, embraces its greatest time) than Edward Schunck. Of this distinguished provincial society (certainly the most learned one we have in Manchester), he had been a member for very many years. Further he had, that period ably discharged the offices of secretary, vice-president, and president. In the latter position he had followed some very eminent men of the century, among whom were Dr. John Dalton, Eaton Hodgkinson, and Dr. J. P. Joule. To the proceedings of this society he contributed many valuable papers relating to his chemical researches and discoveries. Among these may be briefly mentioned " On the action of the ferment of Madder on Sugar;" "On the formation of Indigo Blue" (in which revealed some most important discoveries); "On Fermentation;" "On some constituents of. Cotton Fibre," Ice.
In 1876 and 1877 he produced fewer than seven original investigations on various organic subjects, one, "On some Tsomerides of Alizaim," being tho most important. Another of his most pleasing and interesting researches was commenced in 1379. and the first communication on the subject was read to the Chemical Society of London, September that year, entitled "On the Purple of the Ancients." Except to those versed in the science of chemistry, the extent and importance of Dr. Schunck's researches and discoveries in his special line are comparatively little known; though, in that line, may safely ranked as among the very foremost men Manchester has ever produced. Dr. Schunck, who was elected a Fellow the Royal Society in 1850, was, outside his great work chemical scientist, as simple his ways, manners, and speech, a child. In fact he was good deal simpler than many children of the present generation. Apart from his own native genius he inherited all the good qualities for which father (Mr. Martin Schunck) was held in such deservedly high esteem Manchester merchant of than sixty years' standing.