Martin Hans Boyb, Chemist, 1812-1909 EDGAR FAHS SMITH OME years ago, probably in 1906, a t one of the larger social functions of the American Philosophical Society, the subject of this sketch presented himself; and, although 94 years old, entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion, speak'mg briefly, upon call, to the vast audience, but more intimately to a group of men who cultivated chemistry. At the moment, none of those intimate auditors fully appreciated the eminence of their aged and unique colleague, or were acquainted with his distinguished services to chemistry in America. But, as generally occurs, there was gradually unfolded before them his life story. It ran as follows. It was December 6, 1812, that Boy&came into the world, a t Copenhagen, Denmark. In that city he grew up, attending in due course its University and its Polytechnic School, in both of which he attained distinction in all his studies, but it was in the latter where he met with and enjoyed the tuition of Oersted, Zeise, and Forchhammer, finally graduating with honors in 1835. His father was a chemist, superintending the works of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Copenhagen; and this may have had its influence upon him in the choice of chemistry as his particular science. although it is also quite probable that the enthusiasm of Forchhammer, a superb teacher, figured largely in the final decision of Boy& as to his profession. It will be recalled that Forchhammer was the first person (1820) to recognize that the acids of manganese in the green and purple chameleon were different. And Zeise, too, had discovered the xanthates and mercaptan, so that these and other notable achievements of the masters inspired the eager pupil to turn his thoughts and efforts to investigation, and, as a near relative wrote--
S
Highlands, extending from Easton to Reading, Pennsylvania, across the counties of Northampton, Lehigh, and Berks, while in moments of rest or leisure, he was occupied in the preparation of a map of the region he had traversed. The beauty of the surrounding country impressed him very deeply, as it did others in later years who followed, practically, his trail; but, on slightly diverting from it, were astonished to discover superb crystals of corundum, zircon, pyrolusite, tourHis object, in coming to America, was to obtain an open field for maline, allanite, and many other choice mineralogical research along his chosen L i n e treasures. Did Boy&, perhaps, peer down into the Saucon Valley nearby Bethlehem, and suspect the hence, a t the age of 24 (1836) he arrived in New York. How he occupied himself there is not recorded, but presence of its wonderful zinc blende and calamine beds, in 1837 he went to Philadelphia, where he heard the underlying little Friedensville? Hardly! That delectures of Robert Hare; and indeed, assisted him in velopment came later. And Boy&bad other problems, his laboratory. This was fortunate for it gave him for he was assistant geologist and chemist in the k s t opportunity to come early in close relations with that geological survey under Henry Darwin Rogers, with distinguished scientific family of Rogers, a group which whom he toured the anthracite coal regions for purassisted greatly in laying the foundations of scientific poses of investigation. Rogers, a t this time, held the chair of Geology and research in many fields. A perfectly delightful apMineralogy in the University of Pennsylvania, where preciation of this remarkable family was made by Dr. W. S. W. Ruschenberger before the American Philo- he served for a period of 11 years, resigning in 1846 sophical Society, November 6, 1885. It is one of those to assume, some years later, a similar chair in the gems with which American chemists ought to be University of Glasgow. In his first report (1836) Rogers wrotefamiliar. But, to return to young BdyP. In 1838 he could Often have your geologists been called on to deplore the inhave been met scouring, as a geologist, the South fatuation whicb causes to be neglected, in many, many neighMountain or Lehigh Hills, a continuation of the Jersey borhoods, abundant treasures of iron ore, Lime, and other mate-
rials, fitted t o foster a wholesome industry, for the feverish and illusive search after the precious metals.
"Martin H. Boy& graduate of the University of Copenhagen." The latter designation of Boy& was perRogers was most appreciative of Boy& analytical haps employed to introduce him properly to the Ameriacumen in connection with the analysis of magnetic can chemical world. The laboratory in which the iron ore, belonging to the range of hills south of the study was conducted was the State Laboratory, loLehigh. In the third report, advising the Governor cated a t 208 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, whiie of the State of the personnel of his geological and Henry Darwin Rogers resided a t 212 Chestnut Street. chemical staff, Rogers mentions that his two chemical Between the State Laboratory and that of Robert Hare, in a University building a t the northwest corner assistants were of 9th and Chestnut Streets, Boy& was passing back Dr. Robert E. Rogers (a brother), appointed under the first Act. and forth daily, engaged in serious work. In fact, i t and Marlin Borje, under the late one. was in the summer of 1840 that an unusually excellent but, ever after he speaks of Martin Hans Boy& prob- piece of chemical research-markiig a great advanceably this was all due to not knowing intimately his was sent out from the laboratory of Robert Hare. It Danish associate from whom he subsequently received bore the title-so much valuable aid, as appears evident from the "On the perchlorate of the oxide of ethule or perchloric ether, by statement that these Clark Hare and Martin H. BOYS' . .ITrans. A n . Phil. Soc.. 8
researches are conducted by Dr. Robert E. Rogers and Mr. Martin H. Boy& whose successful performance of their difficult and engrossing duties has already redounded much t o the usefulness of the SUNey. By these chemical labors, the exact composition of every mineral of any importance in the State will he ascertained.
Much discussion was held by this staff on the true limestones and magnesian limestones, analyzed by them, and Rogers continuedThe valuable property of magnesian limestones of making a cement which hardens under water was first hinted a t by M. Vicat, of France, but its dependence on the magnesia was not shown until the analysis and experiments of my brother (W. B. Rogers, founder and first President of Massachusetts Institute of Technology) conclusively established the fact.
Boy& wide experience in mineralogical chemical work was further supplemented by that of the years 1839 and 1840, when he was associated with Robert E. and James B. Rogers, and when in discussing the several methods in use for the quantitative separation of calcium from magnesium, he showed that the best procedure consisted in adding to their solution dilute sulfuric acid in excess, followed by 40 to 41 per cent of alcohol (estimated by volume). This scheme seems to have originated with him and he was enthusiastic as to its merits [J. Franklin Inst. (new series), 25, 159 (1840)l. It was a congenial group of chemists. Eager, alert, they pushed their studies along purely analytical lines; yet Boy&,in conjunction with Henry D. Rogers, brought to the attention of the chemical world that most interesting compound-nitroso-platinic chloride, (NO)sPtCls, occurring in small, orange-colored, very deliquescent uystals, which dissolved in water with the evolution of nitric oxide. The announcement of this new and unexpected platinum derivative was made before the American Philosophical Society (Proc. Am. Phil. SOL, 1 , 145 (1840)). On reading the little communication, one is impressed with the carr and skill exhibited in the study of the compound. The student of the history of chemistry will mark it as a worthy contribution to early American research. The paper was a joint contribution of H. D. Rogers and
(new series). 73 (1843)l.
Clark Hare, it will be remembered, was the son of Robert Hare. The young man had expected to give his life to chemistry, but was diverted to law and, in after years, became a distinguished jurist in Pennsylvania. The product of tbis investigation was not accidental or the result of chance experiment, but as the authors, in their exhaustive article, sayThe energetic properties of perchloric acid, and its stability. compared with the other componnds of chlorine with oxygen. led us t o the belief that this acid might be combined with the substance which performs the part of a base in that class of organic salts which are generally designated by the name of ethers, and for which Berzelius, in consequence of his theoretical views. has adopted the name of oxide of ethuk.
They, therefore, mixed intimately crystallized sulfovinate of barytes and an equivalent proportion of perchlorate of barytes. This mixture they introduced into a retort which was most carefully heated in an oil bath, gradually increasing the temperature from 212'F. to a little below 340°F. The greatest precautions were observed to protect the experimenters. The resulting ether proved to be a colorless liquid with a peculiar but agreeable smell, and a very sweet taste, which on subsiding, left a biting impression on the tongue, resembling oil of cinnamon. On the discovery of tbis body the authors thought of employing it as an explosive agent, but it was found to be perfectly unmanageable, and the attempt was abandoned. At 1000°C. i t yielded a volume of gas 2'/a times as great as that yielded by nitrogen trichloride, and 3'Ia times that of gunpowder. And these investigators continuedWe are induced t o believe that. in explosive volume, it is not surpassed by any substance known t o chemistry. By the explosion of the smallest drop, an open plate will be broken into fragments, and, by that of a larger quantity, be reduced t o powder. In consequence of the force with which it projects the minute fragments of any containing vessel in which it explodes, i t is necessary that the operator should wear gloves, and a dose mask. furnished with thick glass plates a t the apertures for the eya. and perform his manipulations with the intervention of a movable wooden screen.
It certainly was a strange and treacherous body. On reading the following letter from Boy&, written years after, and observing the condition of the glove as exhibited in the picture, the instability, explosions and accidents due to diazo bodies come to memory. But, to the letterCoopershurg, Pa. July 30, 1907 Professor Monroe B. Snyder. Central Hi& - School. Philadel~hia. . . Pa. My dear Sir: Some considerable time ago you suggested t o me that I should present to the Central High School something connecting me with the High School or with chemistry. I send now such t o your care requesting you t o present i t to the High School from me. I t is the glove I had an the first time I experimented with perchloric ether, discovered by myself in 1841 [see Trans. Am. Phil. Sac., 8 (187311, when it exploded in my hand and the small pieces of glass entered my hand through tde glove. I send also for the High School my latest photo, taken Oct. lst, 1905, which is considered the best face likeness ever taken of me, and a view of my house in Coopersburg. Pa.. in which I have lived for many years. Please acknowledge receipt. yours truly, MARTINH. BOY*
At the moment of this explosion Boy&was holding in his hand a test tube containing a small quantity of perchloric ether. There are those who, hearing the astounding story of the ether, have declared that Boy& was, in an important sense, a pioneer in the vast field of smokeless gunpowder, recently so diligently investigated.
Nearly a quarter of a century after the discovery of perchloric ether, Sir Henry E. Roscoe, in the Journal
of the Lmbn Chemical Society, 15, 213 (186% and in the A n d e s , 124,124 (1862), wrote a t length upon the comnound. admittinn the correctness of the observations and 'that the method adopted for the preparation of the ether was the most proper course.' He confirmed the observations on its instability, and casually mentions that under a thin layer of water, it boils a t 74'C. In Beilstein's monumental organic chemistry, Roscoe is erroneously credited with the discovery of this singular substance. The year 1840 was rich in results for Boy&; thus, in the month of January he was admitted to membership in the American Philosophical Society, the members of which had become most favorably impressed with his mineralogical chemical work; and then, in April, he was one of the 20 scientists who met in Philadelphia and organized the American Association of Geologists, which in 1848 passed into the American Association for the Advancement of Science--ever a true and powerful factor in advancing science. BoyP was an active member of both these pioneer societies, contributing papers and always joining in discussions. The summer of 1841 Boy&was again in the field, examining more minutely the bituminous coal regions
' See also G O ~ E RAm. G . Chnn. Soc., 45,420 (1923).
GLOVE OF DR. MARTINH. BOY&SHOWING EWECTOP EXPLOSION OP A SMALL QUANTITY 08 PERCRLORIC ETHER(DISCOVERED BY HIM IN 1841) HELDIN A TEST TUBEIN HIS HANTHE SMALL PIECES 0, GLASS ENTERING HISHANDTAROUGH TAB GLOVE.
along the Kiskiminetas and Allegheny Rivers and Beaver Creek. This study had the enthusiastic approval of Henry D. Rogers. W i l e Boy&himself preferred chemistry, yet so far as actual knowledge and ability were concerned he was equally a t home in geology and physics, as well as ready a t all times to lend a helping hand in these subjects. His successes in these three divisions of science were splendid tributes to the teachings of his favorite Danish teachers, Oersted, Zeise, and Forchhammer. Of course, in Boy&they had had a devoted, talented, and diligent pupil. In the years 184244 he followed the regular course of medical lectures a t the University of Pennsylvania. On graduation (1844) he presented a thesis entitled, "Structure of the nervous system." One of his classmates was the eminent Joseph Leidy, who wrote upon the "Comparative anatomy of the eye of vertebrate animals," an introduction and precursor to his later classic studies in comparative anatomy, paleontology, parisitology, etc. These young scientists must have seen much of each other, for both were, for longer or
shorter periods, assistants to Robert Hare in his chemical studies. What a center of scientific activity that old laboratory of Hare must have been! Wolcott Gihhs was another who worked there, and how proud Americans are of his subsequent career1 The old medical course in the University extended over two years. Most of the practical work and lectures were conducted from 4 P.M. to hours late in the night, so that it was quite possible for Boy& to join James Curtis Booth in the conduct of his or their lahoratory (Booth and Boy&,Chemists, 27 N. 7th Street s a y s an old City Directory), where he did the analytical work of the business, and also succeeded in caring for the analysis of rocks and minerals which were brought in from the Delaware Geological Survey, through the instrumentality of Booth, with whom he also wrote on "The conversion of benzoic into hippuric acid." The experimental part of this study was made in the Booth laboratory and the "results published as the conjoint labours of Professor Booth and myself." Their observations, which are most interesting even today, were based on an earlier discovery of Wiihler. Indeed, i t is a genuine pleasure to note how far such researches in organic chemistry had advanced in the 1840's in America. A summary of their experiences reads as follows:
There is no reference to this derivative in the literature of organic chemistry. Other communications were made to the Society from time to time by Boy&; such as, for exampl-the results of the analysis of three diierent varieties of feldspar from the primary rocks of the State of Delaware; on a white crystalline mineral (albite) from West Chester, which encloses corundum and several other mineral species; on artificially colored tea (done in China); on iron pyrites, containing some copper pyrites, and about 41/2 per cent of nickel, from the Gap Mine in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (this mine was subsequently worked by the late Joseph Wharton, Esq., for the nickel, long used in our coins); on fossil infusoria, and the Aurora Borealis; on true nitric ether; on the analysis of a concretion from a horse's stomach (mainly a phosphate of magnesia and water); on brown hematite, containing small quantities of cobalt oxide; on minerals from the hituminous coal measures of Pennsylvania, among others sulfate of magnesia, both in fibrous crystals and in porous masses; on calcium acetate, found on the outer surface of the coal pits for charring wood; on jixed mercury from Mr. Sarton of Leghorn, which proved to be an amalgam of tin and mercury, etc. These and other brief, written or oral, communications showed BoyP's deep interest in all scientific sub1. The formation of uric acid in healthy urine is not affected either in regard to its quantity nor to its external properties jects. They confirm also the statement of his reguin general by the introduction and transformation of henzoic larity in attendance on- the meetings of the Society. into hi~nuric Review of the scientific work of James Curtis Booth .. acid in the svstem. ~, 2. The time required for the benwic acid to pass through the will show that Boy&was associated with him in canysystem, and reappear as hippuric acid in the urine, is from 20 to ing out many investigations. 40 minutes after its introduction with food into the stomach. It was before the American Association for the Its occurrence continues for four or eight hours, but then ceases. 3. The quantity of hippuric acid obtained from the urine is Advancement of Science that Boy& presented an greater than that of the benzoic acid taken. In round num- article "On the composition of the Schuylkill water." bers it may be stated to be one-third more. He evidently regarded this contribution as of impor4. Urea is not in combination with hio~uric .. acid in the urine. tance. There is every sign of excellence in the aua6 . The base with which the hippuric acid is combined, and which lytical portion, hut why the mysterious emphasis keeps it in solution. is ammonia. upon its importance? Prior to Boye's analysis but An immense amount of laboratory effort was ex- two analyses had been made, one six years before by pended in this study of which Boy&was the guiding Boy&and a second three years before by B. Silliman, spirit. Jr., and the single conclusion arrived a t was In touch, evidently, with all the chemical work being the Schuylkill water when settled clear is a water of superior done in the several institutions with which he had a that quality. quasi connection, he announced in a meeting of the American Philosophical Society (1844) the success The hidden reasons of Boy& for an unusual interest had by Clark Hare, Channing, and Wolcott Gibbs, in in this particular piece of work must ever remain with producing "the perchlorate of the oxide of methule" him. To the ordinary reader they are not apparent. The black, thick, oily product extracted from cottonlmethvl ~ffchloratdbv a Drocess analo~ousto that impl&edwith perchioric etb'er; namely, h; heating dry seed interested Boy&,and in 1845 he invented a process of refining, which yielded a bland and colorless sulfomethylate of haryta and perchlorate of baryta. oil, adapted for cooking or salad dressing. Toilet This compound (methyl perchlorate) resembles, in its general soap made from i t equaled or surpassed the best Castile. properties the ethyl perchlorate, being a colorless liquid, heavier than water, and exploding with great violence on being touched In 1847-48 he manufactured this oil on a large scale., by an ignited body. The force of its explosion seemed, however, A portion of the oil made in 1848 was preserved until less than that of the corresponding ethyl compound; nor did it 1876 when it gained the award of first premium a t the appear capable of being ignited by friction or percussion. It was Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. sweet to the taste, but possessed of a pungency which in a short One of the BoyP's most enthusiastic and devoted time became painful, and attacked the skin of the tongue, so friendshis chief colleaguewas James Curtis Booth. far as to destroy the power of tasting, and to leave the surface They were intimates, sharing problems of every dewhite for several days afterwards. ~
~
scription, hence it was quite proper that when Booth retired from the Chair of Chemistry in the Central High School of Philadelphia, Martin Hans Boye should be his success~r.~So for six years he taught in a subordinate position, giving only a portion of his time to the duties of the school. In 1851, however, his department was raised to the same rank as the others. Provision was made for a laboratory, and from this time chemistry assumed its proper place in the curriculum. From the Hon. Franklin Spencer Edmonds, in his History of the High School, is learned that in his instruction Professor Boy&labored under the diffidties that necessarily come when the teacher is a foreigner and the taught arc high.spirifed, irrcpresstble Am~ricnnboys. A good part of the physiological excitability of thc srudents was worked iffin the chemical ;wm. But, notwithstanding the occasional pranks, the boys of scientific bent received much help from Dr. Boy*, whose work had added materially to the popular appreciation of his subject. In the Board of Instructors he was an active and useful member.
The universal verdict, however, was that Boy&was an earnest, enthusiastic, and on the whole, successful teacher. No less a person than Dr. Thomas M. Drown, formerly professor in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later President of Lehigh University, cheerfully testified that Dr. Boy&first inspired in him a love for chemistry. It was in this teaching period that Boy& wrote "Pneumatics, or the Physics of Gases," designed particularly for his students. In the introduction he said that while he has adhered to a strict systematic arrangement, and on the part of science, sacrificed nothing to popuhzrity, he hopes that he has made his explanations so clear and full as to be intelligible to all.
And a companion volume was "Chemistry, or the Physics of Atoms." Both volumes were vigorous presentations. BoyPs profound knowledge of mathematics and kindred subjects was utilized in these texts, which were by no means easy. He was eager and zealous, implanting principles and fundamentals, and this was broadly done, with the result that he sent out into the world many graduates who attained great success in practicing and teaching chemistry. His public lectures were numerous and interesting. Various as were the engagements of Boy& he still
-
...
'"lloy& was my old professor at the High Schnol-f a rather tempestuous dirp~itionand couldn't bear with the pranks of us saunatas. I was 12 r 1 month when I entered."-W. W. K-;M.~., June 4, 1924. (Letter addressed to E. F. S.)
found leisure to do considerable literary work. In conjunction with Dr. Foreman Leaming he translated into English not a few literary essays from foreign languages, and certain chemical subjects, notably a profound essay by John Jacob Berzelius, entitled "The kidneys and urine." The purpose of the latter translation was to place before American students of medicine the most authoritative discoveries of Europeans in this newer field. Despite its years the book continues to have merit. The digressions of Boy&into literature, in addition to the excellent character of his scientific work, led the authorities of the University of Pennsylvania to confer upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts, in 1844, the year in which he received his M.D. degree in course. The honor was very deeply appreciated by Boy&. In the "Encylopaedia of Chemistry," practical and theoretical, by James Curtis Booth (1850), are numerous subjects frbm the pen of Boy&, including an extended article on "Analysis" which was afterward issued as an independent volume. I t is really a pioneer volume in chemical analysis as far as this country is concerned. I t probably has escaped tbe eyes of most chemical students, but those caring for qualitative and quantitative analysis will find it has exceptional merit. However, in February of the year 1859 Boy* resigned his teaching post "because of ill health," but his ailments were probably- not serious for he gave himself at intervals to protracted journeys into various portions of the globe, and when far in the eighties he was wandering about Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands, and Japan. This was after he had chosen, outside of Philadelphia, in the picturesque region of Eastern Pennsylvania, a spot that was to be the home of his declining y e a r s i n one of the loveliest nooks of that terrestrial Eden-Coopersburg, Pennsylvaniaand christened by Boy& as "Keewaydin," a name of the northwest wind, taken from Hiewatha. Here he pursued "the most noble and useful avocation of managriculture." Here also it was that he passed away into the great bevond on March 6. 1909. 97 vears or more after his a&ent into a little Danish family in Copenhagen. Boy& public and scientific life was fruitful in meritorious things. It is most regrettable that a more intimate picture of the man fails. All efforts to obtain this were fruitless, and so the story ends. He was simple Nature, o v d o w i n g its reservoirs.
