OBITUARY NOTICES OF FELLOWS DECEASED 



Between 30th Nov. 1864 and 30th Nov. 18G5. 



John George Appold died August 31, 1865. Mr. Appold was 

 greatly distinguished as an amateur engineer, and for liis success in the 

 general application of chemical, physical, and mechanical principles for the 

 purposes of mankind. 



He was horn on the 14th of April, 1800, at the factory of his father. 

 Christian xAppold, in Wilson Street, Finshury. He was educated at an in- 

 different school in the vicinity, and at an early age was taken from his 

 studies to assist his father, who was a fur-skin dyer of much celebrity. At 

 the age of 22 his father gave him the business, when his far-seeing mind at 

 once perceived that the power of steam might be advantageously introduced 

 into his factory, and that if he was to hold the first place in his department 

 of manufacture, he must rely upon a knowledge of chemistry and physics. 

 For years he devoted himself to his factory with such success that he im- 

 proved his art, and in some cases was the sole possessor of a knowledge of 

 the means by which he carried out difficult processes. Through this 

 superior skill he amassed in a few years a handsome fortune, by industry 

 and talent alone, without resorting to speculation of any kind. 



From about the year 1844 he bestowed less time on his business, and 

 was thus enabled to apply the knowledge which he had obtained therefrom 

 to a wider range of subjects, whereby he gained the confidence and esteem 

 of the leading engineers of the age. 



Mr. Appold was exceedingly modest and dis.trustful of his own powers, 

 till he found that men of the highest reputation listened to him with re- 

 spect and commendation, when, fortunately for the public, he became more 

 confident in enforcing his own inventions. He was somewhat irritable in 

 manner, especially when wrongfully contradicted ; but was greatly beloved 

 by his men, not only from the kindness of his heart, but from the con- 

 fidence with which he inspired them when difficulties had to be overcome. 



He was married at the age of 25 to Miss Maria Illmann, who during the 

 whole of his life sympathized with his train of thought, calmed his irrita- 

 bility, took the liveliest interest in all his projects, and by a devotion to 

 his comfort and happiness contributed in no small degree to further the in- 

 ventions which he has given to the world. 



Mr. Appold was not a man of extensive reading, and indeed he used 

 books but little ; but he was a careful observer of facts, and his mind was 

 vt^ell stored with accurate and exact data available for use. His inventions 

 and processes were the result of pure thought. They were but little de- 

 rived from the analogy of other methods in actual use, but were in great 

 measure creations of his own mind. 



Mr. Appold' s chemical inventions were confined to his own business ; 

 none of them have ever been published, some are still in the possession of 



vol. XV. b 



