Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Johnston, James Finlay Weir
JOHNSTON, JAMES FINLAY WEIR (1796–1855), chemist, was born at Paisley on 13 Sept. 1796. He received a scanty education, but managed to study privately. Having entered the university of Glasgow, he supported himself during the course by private tuition, and proceeded M.A. In 1825 he opened a school at Durham, and in 1830, after making a wealthy marriage, visited Switzerland to study chemistry under Berzelius. Upon the foundation of Durham University in 1833 the readership in chemistry and mineralogy was bestowed on Johnston, and he retained the appointment until his death. Except during term time, however he continued to reside in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh; and in 1843 he was elected chemist to the Agricultural Society of Scotland. When that society dissolved he made Durham his home. Johnston travelled frequently on the continent, and visited North America from August 1849 to April 1850, making valuable observations on agriculture. He died at Durham, soon after returning from the continent, on 18 Sept. 1855. He was fellow of the Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh and other learned bodies, English and foreign.
Johnston successfully sought to give recent scientific discovery a practical application to agriculture and manufactures. Most of his numerous writings attained great popularity. His ‘Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1844, went through thirty-three editions in his lifetime. It was translated into nearly every European language, and was taught in continental and American schools. His last and best work, ‘The Chemistry of Common Life,’ 2 vols. 8vo, Edinburgh (1853–5), was revised and continued by G. H. Lewes in 1859, and by Professor A. H. Church in 1879.
He wrote also: 1. ‘ Chemical Tables,’ pt. i., printed for the British Association, Edinburgh, 4to, 1836. 2. ‘The Economy of a Coal-Field: an exposition of the objects of the Geological and Polytechnic Society of the West Riding of Yorkshire,’ 8vo, Durham, 1838. 3. ‘Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry and Geology,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1841–4; 2nd edit. 1847. 4. ‘“What can be done for English Agriculture?” A Letter to the Marquess of Northampton,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1842. 5. ‘Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1842; many subsequent editions. It was translated into German by F. Schulze (8vo, Neubrandenburg, 1845). 6. ‘Lectures to the Tenants and others resident on the Estate of the Duke of Northumberland (from the Notes of G. Lockey),’ 12mo, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1843. 7. ‘The Potato Disease in Scotland: being results of investigations into its Nature and Origin,’ 6 Nos., 8vo, Edinburgh, 1845–6. 8. ‘Instructions for the Analysis of Soils,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1847; 3rd edit. 1855. 9. ‘Experimental Agriculture,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1849. 10. ‘Contributions to Scientific Agriculture,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1849, reprinted from the ‘Proceedings of the Agricultural Chemistry Association of Scotland.’ 11. ‘On the Use of Lime in Agriculture,’ 16mo, Edinburgh, 1849. 12. ‘The Liquors we ferment,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1850. 13. ‘Report on the Agricultural Capabilities of the Province of New Brunswick,’ 8vo, Fredericton, 1850. 14. ‘Notes on North America, Agricultural, Economical, and Social,’ 2 vols. 8vo, London, 1851.
Johnston furnished an introduction and notes to G. T. Mulder's ‘Chemistry of Vegetable and Animal Physiology,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1845, an introduction to the same writer's ‘Liebig's Question to Mulder tested by Morality and Science,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1846, and a preface to D. F. Jones's ‘Turnip Husbandry,’ 16mo, 1847. He contributed also many valuable reports and papers to the Royal Society, British Association, Royal Agricultural Society, and other bodies; besides writing occasionally for the ‘Edinburgh Review’ and frequently for ‘Blackwood's Magazine.’
[Gent. Mag. 1855 pt. ii. 545; Cat. of Scientific Papers (Roy. Soc.), iii. 562–4; Blackwood's Edinburgh Mag., November 1855, pp. 548–61; Allibone's Dict. of Eng. Lit.]