Frederick Woodward Branson, FIC, FCS (6 March 1851 – 30 November 1933) was a British chemist, glassblower, instrument maker and X-ray pioneer.
He worked with Jacob Bell & Co a chemist who reformed the profession, location Oxford Street London. He was a Fellow of the Chemical Society in 1882, and became a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry in 1888, glassblower, instrument maker and X-ray pioneer. Chairman & managing director of Reynolds & Branson 1898 – 1933. He had many published works 1882–1918. He was given the honorary award of Freeman of the City of London 1908.
Life and times of Frederick W. Branson and his family
Frederick Woodward Branson was born on 6 March 1851 at Hanslope, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Branson a bricklayer, who later became a farmer. Branson's father inherited the farm via his marriage to Sarah Ann née Woodward, who had inherited it from her father.England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837–2008. Database. FamilySearch. Frederick Woodward Branson, 1851. England & Wales Births, 1837–2006. Database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012). Citing Birth Registration. Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England. Citing General Register Office. Southport, England. In 1861, Branson lived with his parents and maternal grandparents, William Woodward an agricultural labourer and farm owner, at Hungate End Farm, Hanslope. The farm consisted of and employed six men and six boys. William inherited when he married Mary Woodward née Prentice, who was left half of her father, Thomas Prentice, Yeoman's, estate on 31 October 1837 located in Hanslope, Buckinghamshire, England.England and Wales Census, 1861. Database with images. FamilySearch. Frederic Branson in household of William Woodward. Hanslope, Buckinghamshire, England. 1861 England, Scotland and Wales census. Database and images. findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com: n.d.). Citing PRO RG 9. The National Archives. Kew, Surrey. By 1861, the farm had increased in size to and the farm was passed on to Branson's father, Thomas, around 1869 when William Woodward died. The farm increased in size again to by 1871. At this time, Branson was employed as a chemist's apprentice, in the pharmacy of Messrs. Jay in the Drapery at All Saints, Northampton where he served his indentures.England and Wales Census, 1871. Database with images. FamilySearch. Frederick W Branson in entry for Sarah S Foll, 1871. Branson would have inherited Hungate End farm via his parents, but his mother Sarah Ann, the natural farmer by birth died, on 9 March 1881. She was the driving force and the decision maker when it came to the farm's success, whereas his father's experience came from a building background rather than a farming one. A notice in The London Gazette, 26 March 1881, announced that Thomas Branson had been declared bankrupt, and that Hungate End Farm, Hanslope was to be liquidated by arrangement by Composition with Creditors in accordance with the 1869 bankruptcy act. It is noted that by 1891, Branson's father had returned to the building trade. He died in 1910 and Branson attended his fathers funeral.
In 1884, Branson married Rose Mary Ellen née Hartridge; she was a teacher in Woodbridge, Suffolk, daughter of James Samuel Hartridge who was a butcher And Poulterer (ca. 1824–1888) and Susanna Hills daughter of John Hills Raydon, Suffolk, England (ca. 1834–1907).England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837–2005. Database. FamilySearch. Frederick Woodward Branson, 1884. England & Wales Marriages, 1837–2005. Database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com: 2012). Citing Marriage. Woodbridge, Suffolk, England. General Register Office. Southport, England. They had two children: Frederick Hartridge Branson and Rose May.
In 1908 Frederick W Branson was awarded the accolade Freeman of the City of London. he gained membership of the Spectacle Makers' Company. He took a very active interest in Leeds Scientific Societies, being a member for over 50 years of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society which celebrated its centenary some years back. He was its President in 1928–1929 and 1929–1930." its President in 1907–1908 and gave an address on "Radium and Geology" and again in 1908–1909, his address being on radioactive elements and geology. He was also President during the Jubilee Session, 1923–1924, and again in 1924–1925. He took an active share in tracing the course of underground waters of North West Yorkshire in connection with the Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Society in 1899, the results of which were published in the Proceedings of this Society in 1900. Through his instrumentality radium was obtained from Madam Curie and exhibited in Leeds soon after its isolation. Branson was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was known to follow grouse on the Yorkshire Moors. He often fished for salmon in the River Eden. He was an accomplished pianist and regularly supported the Leeds Philharmonic Society. Branson enjoyed the time he spent in his garden, in particular the care of his Alpine plants. He had a rock garden that he built from limestone collected from the moors near Pateley Bridge and skilfully laid out. Early in his career, Branson became acquainted with George Claridge Druce who was an English chemist – botanist and a Mayor of Oxfordand, their friendship and mutual fondness of botany continued throughout his life. He died aged 82 on 30 November 1933 at Wynneholme, Far Headingley, Leeds West Yorkshire, England.Gough, J. H. (1934). Frederick Woodward Branson. 1551–1933. Obituary Notices. Journal of the Chemical Society. Page 2012-2014.
Education and early career Branson passed the Minor examination of the Pharmaceutical Society in 1873 and the Major in 1878. From 1880 to 1881, he attended King's College, London and was awarded the Clothworkers' Science Prize in 1881. The Clothworkers' Science Prize was awarded to evening class students in the amount of £5.Parker, John W. (1896). Evening Classes. The Calendar of King's College, London. King's College (University of London). In 1878 until 1881, he worked with John Bell & Co. in the historic pharmacy at Oxford Street, and acted as laboratory assistant to Samuel Gale, a partner in the firm of John Bell. He became a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry in 1888 and a Fellow of the Chemical Society in 1882.Bennion, Elisabeth. (1979). Antique Medical Instruments. University of California Press. Page 319.
The History of Reynolds and Branson Ltd Co 1816–1972
The original company can be traced back to 1816 (see Grace's Guide which is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain, The Company was established in 1816) Edward Matterson druggist who was running the firm at 12, Briggate, Leeds in 1822, Matterson was educated at Leeds Grammar School, the company had moved to 13 Briggate, Leeds by 1829 (1822 Baines's Directory and Gazette Edward Matterson is a druggist, and dealer in paint and colours, Location 12, Briggate, Leeds ) (Edward Matterson in Pigot's Directory of 1829 he is still druggist but now located 13 Briggate & 4 Blundel place)(also Noted Baines's Directory 1822 John Cudworth Hop Merchants was located at 13, Briggate Leeds ) (Noted William West is a druggist, located at 14, Briggate in 1822. ) Edward Matterson had been employed by Allen and Hanburys, in 1833 William West F.R.S. took over the company after Matterson went bankrupt