Samurai Chemists, Charles Graham and Alexander William Williamson at University College London, 1863–1872

Abstract

This article analyses the dynamic interactions between Japanese samurai students in the 1860s and their chemistry teachers at University College London (UCL) in chemical laboratories and other socialising spaces with the concept of “contact zones.” In addition to Alexander William Williamson (1824–1904), the professor of chemistry and practical chemistry, this article sheds light on the important role of lesser-known figures, especially Williamson's ex-student Charles Graham (1836–1909), who, as a junior teacher, had undoubtedly more chance to interact with samurai students and yet has been overlooked by historians to date.