Peter Woulfe
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox scientist
Peter Woulfe (1727–1803) was an Anglo-Irish chemist and mineralogist. He first had the idea that wolframite might contain a previously undiscovered element (tungsten).<ref>Template:Cite journal On pages 29–34, Woulfe analyzed a sample of a mineral from Joachimsthal (now: Jáchymov, Czech Republic) (see p. 30). On p. 31, Woulfe stated that the mineral contained "a new earth", and on pp. 32 and 34, he stated that it contained "some other earth".</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Self-published source</ref>
In 1771, Woulfe reported the formation of a yellow dye when indigo was treated with nitric acid.<ref>See:
Later it was discovered by others that he had formed picric acid, which eventually was used as the first synthetic dye, an explosive and an antiseptic treatment for burns.
Woulfe is credited with inventing, around 1767, the Woulfe's bottle, an apparatus for purifying or dissolving gases, which employed a bottle with two or three necks.<ref>See:
- Template:Cite journal
- "Woulfe, Peter", Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, 63 : pp. 63–64.
- Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1913.</ref>
AlchemyEdit
Woulfe has been described as being as much an alchemist and mystic as a scientist. As recorded by John Timbs:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
"The last true believer in alchemy was not Dr. Price, but Peter Woulfe, the eminent chemist, and Fellow of the Royal Society, and who made experiments to show the nature of mosaic gold [ tin(IV) sulfide, SnS2]. […] He had long vainly searched for the Elixir, and attributed his repeated failures to the want of due preparation by pious and charitable acts. I understand that some of his apparatus is still extant, upon which are supplications for success and for the welfare of the adepts."