Richard Albert Tilghman

Background

Tilghman was the fourth son of Benjamin and Anna Maria (McMurtrie) Tilghman, was born on May 24, 1824 in Philadelphia, Pa.

He was of the sixth generation from Richard Tilghman, and a grandson of Edward Tilghman.

Education

He studied at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with the B. A. degree in 1841. While in college, he became interested in chemistry and physics. As the laboratory facilities were very meager, he was compelled to seek practical experience in the private analytical laboratory of James C. Booth, under whom his active interest in research was sustained and directed.

Career

His first scientific paper, presented before the American Philosophical Society in 1847, was entitled "On the Decomposing Power of Water at High Temperatures" (Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, vol. IV, 1847), and dealt with the question of the hydrolysis of hydrated and anhydrous inorganic salts when exposed to water vapor at elevated temperature. This was the first systematic study of hydration, and was later rewritten to include the action upon fats by water at elevated temperature and various pressure conditions. A hydrolysis was effected, by means of which a pure fat acid and glycerine were obtained. The acid was of high grade and the method was sold to the Price Patent Candle Company of London.

At the time of Tilghman's early activity, the chemical industries in America were not well developed and he did much of his work in Scotland, where he completed a method for the production of caustic soda, based upon hydrolysis, that met with some commercial application.

His first practical work was concerned with the manufacture of potassium dichromate and his method was adopted by the Baltimore Chrome Works. The production of gas from coal, and the use of gas as a smokeless, dustless fuel in surface evaporation in chemical operations next absorbed Tilghman, but his idea was somewhat in advance of the time and did not receive the notice it deserved. He also proposed to convert coal into gas at the mines and then pipe it to the market, a suggestion that has since been repeated but not yet put into practice.

He spent two years evolving a method, later known as the "sulphite process, " for the manufacture of paper pulp. The method was not commercially successful at the time, but his patents covered all the basic principles. With a brother, Benjamin Chew Tilghman, he developed the "sand blast" process for shaping objects made of hard, brittle materials, and manufactured chilled iron shot for sandblasting machinery. He was also a director in the George Richards and Company, Ltd. , manufacturers of machine tools, and in the Tilghman Sand Blast Company at Broadheath near Manchester, England.

The fact that he had much trouble with his eyes, owing to an explosion, led to his avoidance of public affairs. A long and painful illness terminated his scientific and business activities a number of years before his death.

Achievements

• Richard Albert Tilghman was an American chemist, who evolved a method, later known as the "sulphite process, " for the manufacture of paper pul With a brother, Benjamin Chew Tilghman, he developed the "sand blast" process for shaping objects made of hard, brittle materials, and manufactured chilled iron shot for sandblasting machinery.

Interests

• He lived a quiet life, interested only in his work and his home.

Connections

In 1860 he was married to Susan Price Toland, the daughter of Robert and Rebekah Toland. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and three daughters.

Father:

Benjamin Tilghman

(1785–1850)

Mother:

Anna Maria McMurtrie Tilghman

(1787–1872)

Spouse:

Susan Price Toland Tilghman

(1836–1917)

child:

Richard Albert Tilghman

(1865–1906)

child:

Angela Tilghman Preston

(1871–1896)

child:

Edith Sara Tilghman Nalle

(1862–1945)

child:

Benjamin Chew Tilghman

(1861–1911)

Brother:

Benjamin Chew Tilghman

(1821–1901)

Sister:

Anna Tilghman

(1819–1910)