The Chemical Landmark Scheme (CLS) is a Royal Society of Chemistry initiative recognising sites where the chemical sciences have made a significant contribution to health, wealth, or quality of life. The blue plaques are publicly visible, and are intended to give everyone an insight into chemistry's relevance to everyday lives.[1] CLS plaques for the first few years of the scheme (begun in 2001) were rectangular, black lettering on a steel background, but later plaques are hexagonal, white lettering on a blue background. Round plaques bearing RSC attribution do not bear the word "landmark" and are apparently without the scheme. The scheme was suspended in mid-2018 or earlier.[2] As of mid-August 2021, the RSC promise to provide a formal nomination process for new plaques "shortly".[3]
A list of plaques awarded to date can be found below.
Recently (as of mid-August 2021) the RSC have listed plaques on their own website.[3] Currently that list omits the 2015 plaque for Robert Angus Smith below, but has the following additional plaques: four awarded later than the two 2016 plaques listed here, an extra 2006 plaque to Perkin, and a 1997 plaque relating to histamine H2-receptor antagonists. The RSC list has no inscriptions or photographs in contrast to this list, but it does have the precise date of the plaque award (whereas this list gives an approximate date of installation, normally some time after the award ceremony).
In 1957 scientists working for Beecham Research Laboratories at nearby Brockham Park discovered a chemical which they used to develop many new penicillins with unique properties for the treatment of bacterial infections. These medicines have relieved suffering and saved millions of lives worldwide.
Shell Research Ltd Milstead Laboratory of Chemical Enzymology. In recognition of the pioneering work carried out here when he was co-director of the laboratory. Cornforth led a team that revealed the detailed chemistry of how enzymes work, and explained how cholesterol builds up in the body. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1975.
Professor of Chemistry. Attended this school 1837–1839. Discovered many new chemical compounds, made important contributions to chemical theory, and improved the quality of domestic water supplies. President of the Chemical Society and the Institute of Chemistry.
Apprentice apothecary to John Bingham Borlase in this building, 1795–1798. Progressed to the Medical Pneumatic Institution, Bristol, 1798 and to the Royal Institution, London, 1801. Davy established the nature of acids, identified 9 elements and invented the miner's safety lamp.
First Chief Inspector of the Alkali Inspectorate (1864–1884) Robert Angus Smith lived and worked in Manchester for 40 years, and for much of this time his laboratory was at 20 Grosvenor Square. Following his research in Manchester on air quality, in 1859 he was the first person to use the term 'acid rain'.
To mark the 100th birthday of Daniel Eley, pioneering physical chemist. His research, much of it conducted in Nottingham, bridges chemistry, physics and biology. It includes the Eley-Rideal mechanism of gas-surface reactions, organic semiconductors, discovery of the conductivity of DNA, ortho/para hydrogen conversion and understanding the structure of aqueous solutions.
In recognition of 100 years of innovation in supplying the UK with transportation fuels and important base chemicals. Saltend has uniquely combined in one location the research, development and commercialisation of numerous new processes for the manufacture of organic acids, alcohols and their derivatives.
In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the world's first commercial autocatalysts being manufactured on this site, and the subsequent development of catalysts and filters for gasoline and diesel vehicles that have cleaned billions of tonnes of pollutants from the environment worldwide.
Led pioneering work in this building from 1956–1972 and elsewhere in Oxford on the structures of antibiotics, vitamins and proteins including penicillin, vitamin B12 and insulin, using X-ray diffraction techniques for which she received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964
Department of Chemistry University of Oxford South Parks Road. OS map ref (± 00010) SP 51532 06850. Oxford
In recognition of the work during the 1980s by The Boots Company PLC on the development of ibuprofen which resulted in its move from prescription only status to over the counter sale, therefore expanding its use to millions of people worldwide
Building D6 at Boots Beeston Factory Site Dunkirk Industrial Estate 1 Thane Road Nottingham
In recognition of the pioneering research work, here on Pennyfood Street, by Dr Stewart Adams and Dr John Nicholson in the Research Department of Boots which led to the discovery of ibuprofen used by millions worldwide for the relief of pain.
University of Southampton Chemistry. On this site in 1973, Martin Fleischmann, Patrick J. Hendra and A. James McQuillan recorded the first surface enhanced Raman spectra (SERS) leading to the development of a highly sensitive surface spectroscopic technique that is now used worldwide.
1985–2002 Chairman, Centre for Photomolecular Sciences and Visiting Professor, Imperial College. 1967 Nobel Laureate for the study of fast reactions by flash photolysis.
Glucose Sensor. In this laboratory on 20 July 1982, Allen Hill, Tony Cass and Graham Davis made the crucial discovery which led to the development of a unique electronic blood glucose sensor now used by millions of diabetics worldwide.
This plaque, at the home of the Royal Society of Chemistry's publishing operations, commemorates the 170th anniversary of the society's scientific publishing, which has made a profound contribution to the advancement of the chemical sciences.
In recognition of the outstanding scientific contribution made by Charles Suckling and others, close to this site in 1951, in the synthesis and subsequent commercial development of halothane, the world's first synthetic inhalation anaesthetic.
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the atomic nucleus by Ernest Rutherford, a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and pioneer in nuclear physics, at the University of Manchester. [NB This is presumed to be the inscription on the RSC plaque, but the photograph in this entry is of a different plaque of unknown date with a different legend, donated by the Council of the City of Manchester. Research on these plaques is in progress, but hampered by Covid-19 restrictions.]
In recognition of the outstanding scientific contribution to the home and personal care industry made by Unilever Port Sunlight's laboratory since 1911. 100 years on, the people on site continue to deliver innovative products to enhance the lives of billions of consumers around the world.
Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory. Where in 1980, John B. Goodenough with Koichi Mizushima, Philip C. Jones and Philip J. Wiseman identified the cathode material that enabled development of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This breakthrough ushered in the age of portable electronic devices.
In recognition of the significant and enduring contribution made by Pfizer Scientists to health and quality of life through the discovery, development and manufacture of novel medicines for human and animal use. Sandwich Research laboratories established 1957.
In recognition of the pioneering research and manufacturing work carried out at the May & Baker (sanofi-aventis) Dagenham site in a wide range of chemical and pharmaceutical fields since 1934. These products continue to benefit patients and their quality of life around the world.
This plaque is in recognition of the pioneering work in the nutrition science carried out by Dr Elsie Widdowson (1906–2000). Her research provided a foundation for the work which continues in this laboratory today to improve the health of the population.
Human Nutrition Research 120 Fulbourn Road CB1 9NL Cambridge
In recognition of the pioneering research and development work performed by scientists at Harwell since 1946. Their work has provided fundamental support in the development of nuclear power in the UK and a greater understanding of the chemistry of the actinide elements.
Harwell Campus Management HQ Building Thomson Avenue OX11 0GD. OS map ref (± 00010) SU 48075 87128. Didcot
Chemist, physicist and inventor of the incandescent light bulb which he first demonstrated at a public lecture here on 3 February 1879. Nearby Mosley Street was the first street in the world to be lit by such electric bulbs.
Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle 23 Westgate Road NE1 1SE Newcastle upon Tyne
During the period 1930–1970 Professor Sir Christopher Ingold pioneered our understanding of the electronic basis of structure, mechanism and reactivity in organic chemistry, which is fundamental to modern-day chemistry.
In recognition of the pioneering work carried out by chemists at the Alderley Park site since 1957 which has led to the discovery of therapeutic medicines, including beta-blockers and cancer therapies, that continue to provide benefits for patients throughout the world.
Founding father of Epidemiology. In 1854 his research linked deaths to the water pump near this site and thus determined that cholera is a water borne disease.
Chemistry Department University College London During the period 1930–1970 Professor Sir Christopher Ingold pioneered our understanding of the electronic basis of structure, mechanism and reactivity in organic chemistry, which is fundamental to modern-day chemistry.
This plaque is in recognition of the pioneering work carried out by scientists on this site since 1928. Research at Jealott's Hill has led to global developments in agriculture which have helped feed people and improve their quality of life.
Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre Berkshire RG42 6EY Bracknell
Clarendon Laboratory where H.G.J. Moseley (1887–1915) completed his pioneering studies on the frequencies of X-rays emitted from the elements. His work established the concept of atomic number and helped reveal the structure of the atom. He predicted several new elements and laid the ground for a major tool in chemical analysis. (Plaque as shown in photograph deteriorated further - note bulging of paint - and was replaced in 2019 with a new plaque identical in inscription but with the current RSC logo as shown for instance in photographs on plaques dated 2015.)
1778–1793: Teacher (Eaglesfield, Pardshaw, Kendal) 1793–1844: Scientist and Educator (Manchester) 1817–1844: President, Manchester Lit & Phil Soc Laws of Partial Pressures and Multiple Proportions, recognised Colour Blindness and revolutionised Chemistry through his Atomic Theory
1938–1942 Student, 1957–1978 Professor, Imperial College 1969 Nobel Laureate for new concept of organic conformational analysis Erected in the Centenary Year of Imperial College London
1939–1943 Student, 1956–1996 Professor, Imperial College 1973 Nobel Laureate for pioneering studies on organometallic compounds Erected in the Centenary Year of Imperial College London
discovered mauveine, the world's first synthetic dyestuff, in 1856. He and his brother Thomas produced mauveine from a factory on this site in 1857, and later alizarin, thus laying the foundations of the organic chemicals industry. This replaces a centenary plaque unveiled by Sir R Robinson in 1957.
This plaque recognises Hexagon Site as a Chemical Landmark. Since 1786, this site has been at the heart of dyestuffs development and production in the UK.
Hexagon Tower Crumpsall Vall Blackley M9 8ES Manchester
2006(2006)
Natural Products
Research in the Department of Chemistry at Cambridge over more than 50 years has established the structures and many principles of the synthesis of molecules that control the processes of life. Notably, Lord Alexander Todd FRS and his co-workers invented the chemical synthesis of nucleotides which led to the elucidation of the chemical structure of DNA.
Research in the Department of Chemistry at Hull over more than 50 years has established many principles of the design, synthesis and properties of liquid crystals for applications in display devices. Notably, Professor George Gray FRS, CBE and his co-workers invented the cyanobiphenyl class of materials, which were key to developing the first successful liquid crystal display devices.
Between 1894 and 1910, in a laboratory near this site, William Ramsay discovered and characterised the noble gases, completing the structure of the Periodic Table of Elements.
This plaque commemorates the discovery of polyethylene (better known as polythene) by R O Gibson and E W Fawcett on 27 March 1933 working in the former ICI research laboratory close to this site.
This laboratory was a major centre for Organic Chemistry from 1916–2003. It had four Heads in that time, the Waynflete Professors W H Perkin Jnr, Sir Robert Robinson OM, Sir Ewart Jones, and Sir Jack Baldwin. Sir Robert was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1947 for work done here on natural products.
Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit Dyson Perrins Building South Parks Road OX1 3QY. OS map ref (± 00010) SP 51609 06916. Oxford
2004(2004)
Silicone Polymers
Commemorating the pioneering work into the development of silicone polymers conducted by Professor Frederic S. Kipping, FRS, first Sir Jesse Boot Professor of Chemistry, at the University College laboratories in Shakespeare Street, Nottingham (1897–1928), and the Trent Building laboratories, University Park (1928–1936). His research formed the basis for the worldwide development of the synthetic rubber and silicone-based lubricant industries.
Near this site, between 1912 and 1914, Sir William H. Bragg and his son Sir W. Lawrence Bragg carried out research that led to the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1915. Their work formed the basis of crystal structure determination by X-ray diffraction which has made an outstanding contribution to chemical science.
The College was modelled on Liebig's Laboratory at Giessen, Germany by AW Hofmann. Here, Hofmann inspired the young to do great things in chemistry, and relate them to both academic and everyday life.
For over 300 years explosives and propellants were developed and produced on this site. Work performed here has been influential in the development of the Bouncing Bomb, Kevlar and Ejector Seat technology.
Pioneering work has been carried out in these laboratories since 1970 on the chemistry of Platinum Group Metals for the development of car exhaust catalysts and the design of platinum anti-cancer drugs. Exhaust catalysts are fitted to most modern vehicles and make a global contribution to air quality. Platinum-based drugs play a major role in cancer therapy.
1846 Professor of Chemistry at the Manchester Royal Institution (City Art Gallery) 1850 F C Calvert and Co near this site 1857 First commercial production of phenol, carbolic acid, used as a disinfectant in soaps and powders and for making dyes
Born in Glasgow and Professor of Chemistry at Anderson's University (now University of Strathclyde) from 1830–1837. His famous contributions to Science were Graham's Law of Diffusion and his pioneering work on dialysis. He founded the Chemical Society of London in 1841, and became Master of the Mint. He is commemorated by this building and by a statue in George Square.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution, started on a site close to here in Birniehill Bathgate, where in c. 1850 he processed torbanite ('cannel coal') to create the first commercial production of paraffin oil in the world, leading to the major shale oil industry in West Lothian
Graduate of Medicine 1754 Professor of Chemistry 1766–1799 Discovered the Properties of Fixed Air (Carbon Dioxide) Promoter of the Scottish Chemical Industry
Close to this site, in 1869, Andrews discovered the 'critical temperature' for the liquefaction of carbon dioxide, the basis of cryogenics and of low temperature chemistry and physics
Professor Edward (Ted) D Hughes FRS, who conducted ground breaking work on kinetics and mechanisms in organic chemistry 1943–48, played a prominent role in the 125 year history (1884–2009) of Chemistry at Bangor.
Gwnaeth yr Athro Edward (Ted) D Hughes FRS waith arloesol ar gineteg a mecanwaith ym maes cemeg organig rhwng 1943 a 1948, gan chwarae rhan amiwg yn hanes cemeg ym Mangor (1884–2009)
In tribute to the Institut de France for honouring British Chemist Sir Humphry Davy in 1808 and encouraging the international exchange of scientific knowledge.
Sir Edward Frankland PhD FRS Professor of Chemistry 1851–1857 Organometallic compounds. Bonding and Valency. Water Analysis First President of the Institute of Chemistry. Sir Henry Enfield Rosecoe BA PhD FRS Professor of Chemistry 1857–1886 Vanadium. Photochemistry. Spectroscopy. First President of the Society of Chemical Industry Active in the transfer of Owens College from this building to Oxford Road in 1873 and in the foundation of the Victory University in 1880
In 1928, at St. Mary's Hospital, London, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. This discovery led to the introduction of antibiotics that greatly reduced the number of deaths from infection. Howard W. Florey, at the University of Oxford working with Ernst B. Chain, Norman G. Heatley and Edward P. Abraham, successfully took penicillin from the laboratory to the clinic as a medical treatment in 1941. The large-scale development of penicillin was undertaken in the United States of America during the 1939–1945 World War, led by scientists and engineers at the Northern Regional Research Laboratory of the US Department of Agriculture, Abbott Laboratories, Lederle Laboratories, Merck & Co., Inc., Chas. Pfizer & Co. Inc., and E.R. Squibb & Sons. The discovery and development of penicillin was a milestone in twentieth century pharmaceutical chemistry.
On this site in the former New Meeting House Joseph Priestley LLD FRS scholar, scientist, theologian and discoverer of oxygen ministered to his congregation from 1870 to 1791
John Dalton 1766–1844 taught natural philosophy and mathematics at the Academy on this site 1793–1800. His Atomic Theory was first presented on 21 October 1803 to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society of which he was President 1816–1844
Sir Henry Hallett Dale was an English pharmacologist and physiologist. For his study of acetylcholine as agent in the chemical transmission of nerve pulses (neurotransmission) he shared the 1936 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Otto Loewi.
A blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place in the United Kingdom, and certain other countries and territories, to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person, event, or former building on the site, serving as a historical marker.
The Royal Society of Canada, also known as the Academies of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences of Canada, is the senior national, bilingual council of distinguished Canadian scholars, humanists, scientists, and artists. The primary objective of the RSC is to promote learning and research in the arts, the humanities, and the sciences. The RSC is Canada's national academy and exists to promote Canadian research and scholarly accomplishment in both official languages; to recognize academic and artistic excellence; and to advise governments, non-governmental organizations, and Canadians on matters of public interest.
Alexander Robertus Todd, Baron Todd, was a British biochemist whose research on the structure and synthesis of nucleotides, nucleosides, and nucleotide coenzymes gained him the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1957.
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is a learned society and professional association in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemical sciences". It was formed in 1980 from the amalgamation of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society, and the Society for Analytical Chemistry with a new Royal Charter and the dual role of learned society and professional body. At its inception, the Society had a combined membership of 34,000 in the UK and a further 8,000 abroad.
The year 1980 in science and technology involved some significant events, listed below.
Sir Edward Frankland, was an English chemist. He was one of the originators of organometallic chemistry and introduced the concept of combining power or valence. An expert in water quality and analysis, he was a member of the second royal commission on the pollution of rivers, and studied London's water quality for decades. He also studied luminous flames and the effects of atmospheric pressure on dense ignited gas, and was one of the discoverers of helium.
A commemorative plaque, or simply plaque, or in other places referred to as a historical marker, historic marker, or historic plaque, is a plate of metal, ceramic, stone, wood, or other material, typically attached to a wall, stone, or other vertical surface, and bearing text or an image in relief, or both, to commemorate one or more persons, an event, a former use of the place, or some other thing. Many modern plaques and markers are used to associate the location where the plaque or marker is installed with the person, event, or item commemorated as a place worthy of visit. A monumental plaque or tablet commemorating a deceased person or persons, can be a simple form of church monument. Most modern plaques affixed in this way are commemorative of something, but this is not always the case, and there are purely religious plaques, or those signifying ownership or affiliation of some sort. A plaquette is a small plaque, but in English, unlike many European languages, the term is not typically used for outdoor plaques fixed to walls.
Sir James Fraser Stoddart is a British-American chemist who is Chair Professor in Chemistry at the University of Hong Kong. He has also been Board of Trustees Professor of Chemistry and head of the Stoddart Mechanostereochemistry Group in the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University in the United States. He works in the area of supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology. Stoddart has developed highly efficient syntheses of mechanically-interlocked molecular architectures such as molecular Borromean rings, catenanes and rotaxanes utilising molecular recognition and molecular self-assembly processes. He has demonstrated that these topologies can be employed as molecular switches. His group has even applied these structures in the fabrication of nanoelectronic devices and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). His efforts have been recognized by numerous awards, including the 2007 King Faisal International Prize in Science. He shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with Ben Feringa and Jean-Pierre Sauvage in 2016 for the design and synthesis of molecular machines.
Richard Royce Schrock is an American chemist and Nobel laureate recognized for his contributions to the olefin metathesis reaction used in organic chemistry.
Steven Victor Ley is Professor of Organic Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, and is a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He was President of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2000–2002) and was made a CBE in January 2002, in the process. In 2011, he was included by The Times in the list of the "100 most important people in British science".
Elsie Widdowson, was a British dietitian and nutritionist. Alongside her research partner, Dr. Robert McCance, they were responsible for overseeing the government-mandated addition of vitamins to food and wartime rationing in Britain during World War II.
David Alan Leigh FRS FRSE FRSC is a British chemist, Royal Society Research Professor and, since 2014, the Sir Samuel Hall Chair of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Manchester. He was previously the Forbes Chair of Organic Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh (2001–2012) and Professor of Synthetic Chemistry at the University of Warwick (1998–2001).
Arieh Warshel is an Israeli-American biochemist and biophysicist. He is a pioneer in computational studies on functional properties of biological molecules, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and holds the Dana and David Dornsife Chair in Chemistry at the University of Southern California. He received the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, together with Michael Levitt and Martin Karplus for "the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems".
Lt-Col Edward Frank Harrison C.M.G. (1869–1918) was an English chemical scientist, credited with the invention of the first serviceable gas mask during the First World War. Born in Camberwell, Harrison, at the age of 14, was apprenticed to a pharmacist, at the end of which he was awarded the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Jacob Bell Scholarship. As a student, he was awarded medals in chemistry, botany and materia medica. He qualified as a pharmaceutical chemist in 1891, becoming a demonstrator in the Society's laboratory and school. He later became head of the analytical laboratory at Burroughs Wellcome, and assisted in the compilation of the British Pharmaceutical Codex.
Eastbourne Blue Plaques is a scheme for erecting blue plaques in Eastbourne, England. It was implemented in 1993 following a suggestion to Eastbourne Borough Council by Eastbourne Civic Society. The joint project involves the mounting of commemorative plaques on buildings associated with famous people. The principles for selection are broadly those already established by English Heritage for such plaques in London. The first was erected in November 1994 in Milnthorpe Road at the former home of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer.
To commemorate British gold medal winners at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics, various post boxes in the home towns of the medal winners around the United Kingdom, plus one each on Sark and the Isle of Man, were repainted gold. It marked the first occasion in modern times that the colour of post boxes in the United Kingdom had been changed from their traditional red. Originally intended to be a temporary measure, due to the positive public response it was later decided the colour change would become a permanent tribute, with boxes additionally receiving their own special plaques.
Professor Kenneth Reginald Harrap (1931-2017) was a British oncological biochemist.
The Longstaff Prize is given to a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry who has done the most to advance the science of chemistry. First awarded in 1881, it was originally conferred by the Chemical Society and known as the Longstaff Medal.
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