Roscoe’s Legacy

Abstract When Roscoe died in 1915, he was memorialized as one of the most prominent chemists of his era, yet he now languishes in relative obscurity. This chapter shows his impact on the century after his death. It begins by critiquing his support for Germany, arguing that it was well-intended, but he had overlooked the nationalistic and militaristic aspects of German society which led to World War I. After describing the impact of his textbooks, the authors show how the institutions and societies he supported or founded flourished in the twentieth century, including the University of London, Imperial College, the Science Museum, and the Society of Chemical Industry. The history of technical education reform culminating in the Robbins Report of 1963 is outlined. The authors conclude that although Roscoe may not have been preeminent in chemistry or politics, his role as the campaigning chemist makes him a key figure in the history of educational reform.