John William Draper
John William Draper (May 5, 1811 – January 4, 1882) was an English scientist, philosopher, physician, chemist, historian and photographer. He is credited with pioneering portrait photography (1839–40) and producing the first detailed photograph of the moon in 1840. He was also the first president of the American Chemical Society (1876–77) and a founder of the New York University School of Medicine.
John William Draper | |
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John William Draper, c. 1879 | |
| Born | May 5, 1811 St. Helens, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
| Died | January 4, 1882 (aged 70) Hastings-upon-Hudson, New York, United States |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University College London University of Pennsylvania |
| Known for | Photochemistry Draper point Grotthuss–Draper law |
| Awards | Rumford Medal (1875) |
One of Draper's books, the History of the Conflict between Religion and Science, popularised the conflict thesis proposing intrinsic hostility in the relationship between religion and science. It was widely read and was translated into several languages.
His son, Henry Draper, and his granddaughter, Antonia Maury, were astronomers. His granddaughter, Carlotta Maury (Antonia's younger sister), was a paleontologist. His eldest son, John Christopher Draper, was a chemist; and son Daniel Draper, a meteorologist.