William Ramsay (2.10.1852-23.07.1916) was an English chemist and physicist, a Fellow of the Royal Society (1888). He was born in Glasgow. In 1866 — 70 he studied at the University of Glasgow, in 1871 at the University of Heidelberg and in 1872 at the University of Tübingen, where in 1872 he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. In 1872 — 80 he worked at the University of Glasgow, in 1880—87 he was professor at the University of Bristol, and in 1887—1913 at the University of London.
He discovered and studied the inert gases: in 1894 he discovered argon (with J. Rayleigh), in 1895 helium, and in 1898 krypton, xenon and neon (with M. Travers). He studied the molecular structure of pure liquids, and in 1893 proposed a method of determining the molecular weight of liquids from their surface tension. In 1903 he determined the density of the emanation of radium (radon), and in 1903 proved (together with F. Soddy) the presence of helium in the products of radon radiation (the formation of helium from radon). This was the first experimental proof of the transformation of one element into another. Together with O. Hahn he discovered radiothorium in 1905. He carried out research on the transmutation of chemical elements. In 1910 he invented the microbalance, and in 1912 proposed the underground gasification of coal (this idea had been put forward as early as 1888 by D. I. Mendeleev). In 1904 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the inert gases and the determination of their place in the periodic table.
A member of a number of academies of sciences and scientific societies, a foreign member of the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1913). The H. Davy Medal (1895) and others.