Andrew Peebles AitkenFRSE FBSE (1843-1904) was a Scottish agricultural chemist remembered primarily for his research into fertiliser response times. He laid the foundations of modern understanding of increased crop yields through the use of artificial fertilisers.[1]
38 Garscube Terrace, Edinburgh
He was born at 122 Rose St Edinburgh on 30 April 1843, the son of Mary Ann (née Smith) (1819-1890) and John Aitken (1814-1886) a cabinetmaker, the 3rd child of 12. He studied at both the University of Edinburgh and the University of Heidelberg in Germany, graduating MA in 1867 and BSc in 1871. He received a doctorate in Chemistry (DSc) in 1873.[2]
He was President of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh from 1895 to 1897.[6]
He died at home, 38 Garscube Terrace[7] in the Coltbridge district of Edinburgh on Sunday 17 April 1904. He is buried in Rosebank Cemetery in north Edinburgh.[8]
Family
He was married to Georgina Burnett Brown (1855-1922). They had three daughters, Katharine, Helen and Jessie.[9]
