Thomas Christy, Junior (1831-1905)
Thomas Christy (1831–1905), botanist, businessman and pharmacologist
1831 Born in Lambeth son of Thomas Christy and his wife Jane Sandwith Christy[1], scion of a firm of prosperous hat manufacturers, Christy and Co.
He belonged to a long established Quaker family. Little is known about Thomas's early life or education.
1852 Patent to Thomas Christy, junior, of Gracechurch-street, in the city of London, for the invention of improvements in weaving hat plush, and other piled fabrics.[2]
1853 Prior to going to live in China, he relinquished his membership of the Society of Friends. This was followed later by the resignation of his father, three sisters, and brother.
During his three-year stay in China, Christy was associated with Sir Thomas Hanbury.
On his return he became an importer and merchant of drugs, closely linked with Daniel Hanbury and other leading pharmacologists.
1870 Thomas Christy, Junior of 155 Fenchurch street E.C. and 64 Claverton street S.W.[3]
1871 Thomas Christy 39, merchant in French China goods (employing 5 clerks), lived at 64 Claverton Street, Belgrave, with Sophia Christy 31, Howard Christy 4, Gilbert Christy 0[4]
1871 Patent to Henry Herapath Siebe and William Gorman, both of Denmark-street, Soho, Submarine Engineers, and Thomas Christy, Junior, of Fenchurch-street, Contractor, for the invention of "improvements in the construction of vessels for raising sunken ships or other bodies."[5]
1872 Thomas Christy the younger, of No. 155, Fenchurch-street, in the city of London, Gentleman, gave notice in respect of the invention of "improvements in the treatment of ammoniacal and other liquor of gas works, sewage, and other waters containing foreign matters in suspension or solution, in order to obtain useful products therefrom." — A communication to him from abroad by Alexander Bobrownicki, of No. 27, Rue des Ecoles, Paris, in the Republic of France.[6]
1872 Thomas Christy the younger, of 155, Fenchurch-street, in the city of London, Merchant, gave notice in respect of the invention of "improvements in apparatus for use in ventilating ships or vessels and otherplaces." A communication to him from abroad by Farnhain Zebediah Tucker, of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings, in the State of New York, in the United States of America.[7]
Responsible for marketing the gum that could be made from comfrey on behalf of Henry Doubleday who had brought the plant in from Russia.
1875 Thomas Christy, junior, of 155, Fenchurch-street, in the city of London, gave notice in respect of the invention of "improvements in the construction of furnaces with a rotary inclined hearth or pan for the puddling of iron and the fusion of steel." — A communication to him from abroad by Charles Pernot, Engineer, of St. Chamond, Loire, France.[8]
1875 Patent to Thomas Christy, of 155, Fenchurch-street, London, for an invention of "improvements in waterproofing fabrics, and a composition for such, purpose." From abroad by Dr. Paul Fournaise, of Paris. Dated 1st June 1875[9]
1876 Became a fellow of the Linnean Society
1876 He had received a very rich sample of minerals fromthe Philippines which he sent to Messrs. Johnson and Matthey (for assay)[10]
1876 Business Thomas Christy and Co of Fenchurch Street
1905 Died in Wallington, Surrey.
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography, ODNB