Lyon Playfair, 1st Baron Playfair

Lyon Playfair, 1st Baron Playfair ( born May 1, 1818 in Chunar or Meerut, † May 29 1898 in South Kensington) was a British chemist and politician.

Life and work

Playfair studied chemistry among others, Justus von Liebig in Giessen. In 1843 he became professor of chemistry at the Royal Institution in Manchester and was from 1858 to 1868 Professor of Chemistry in Edinburgh. His students included Edward Frankland, James Dewar and Adolph Wilhelm Hermann Kolbe.

In October 1845 sent Robert Peel, the British Prime Minister, together with the Playfair botanist Lindley to Ireland to investigate the local famine, potato blight and the impact of the Corn Laws. He has advised Prince Albert in the use of faeces and the preparation of the Great Exhibition in London.

1868 Playfair went into politics, was Liberal MP from 1880 to 1883 and was Speaker of the House. It was in 1892 as Baron Playfair of St Andrews in Fife Member of the Upper House.

Established in 1854, invented by Charles Wheatstone encryption method Lyon Playfair Playfair recommended for use in the British military.