Finding His Niche

Abstract This chapter shows the importance for Roscoe of his time living and studying in London, the influence of several outstanding teachers on his intellectual development, and the network of people Roscoe met, many of whom were to remain lifelong friends. Roscoe chose to study at University College London because there were no religious stipulations, and he came under the influence of the mathematician Augustus De Morgan, and the chemists Thomas Graham and Alexander Williamson. Teaching in the Birkbeck laboratory allowed students to undertake experimental work, which appealed to Roscoe, who matriculated with a BA in 1852. While in London, Roscoe became acquainted with Benjamin Brodie (later Professor of Chemistry at Oxford), Henry Holland (physician and President of the Royal Institution), and Alfred Fletcher (later Chief Inspector of the Alkali Administration); and also met his cousin Stanley Jevons, who later would join him on the staff of Owens College Manchester.