James ‘Paraffin’ Young (1811-1883), was a chemist, inventor and pioneer of the oil industry. He had a long association with Anderson’s University, the ancestor of the University of Strathclyde, starting from 1830 when he attended evening classes there. The following year he was appointed laboratory assistant to chemistry professor, Thomas Graham. It was whilst a student at Anderson’s University that Young formed a lifelong friendship with fellow student David Livingstone. A generous benefactor throughout his life, Young financed David Livingstone’s explorations in Africa.

Young continued his association with the University, becoming president of the institution in 1868, a position he held until 1877. In 1870, he established the Young Chair of Technical Chemistry to support industry based chemistry within the institution.

A great innovator, Young patented numerous and diverse industrial processes. This patent for improvements in distilling is one of several in the University Archives. It is inscribed on parchment and retains its original great seal. Patents proved vital to the profitability of Young’s work and he embarked on considerable litigation throughout his career against other companies attempting to infringe his rights.

Young is perhaps best remembered for his distillation of cannel coal, producing a number of useful liquids. He entered into partnership with Edward Binney and Edward Meldrum for the manufacture of oils from cannel coal at Bathgate, West Lothian. Their works were completed in 1851, and paraffin fuel and solid paraffin sold from 1856. These were the first truly commercial oil-works in the world.

Archives reference: T-YOU 3/38 Letter patent to James Young for ‘Improvements in Distilling’ dated 6 April 1866 (registered 1 April 1869)