George Matthey (1826-1913)
1913 Obituary [1]
GEORGE MATTHEY, F.R.S., of Cheyne House, Chelsea, died at Rosemount, Eastbourne, on the 14th February, 1913, aged 87.
At an early age he joined the late P. N. Johnson, in the firm of Johnson, Matthey and Co, assayers and gold refiners, of Hatton Garden, and continued his active association with the business until a few years before his death.
He was greatly interested in the development of the use of platinum, and discovered a method of obtaining pure platinum from the commercial metal. Other branches of metallurgical study also claimed his attention, and, amongst much important work, he was associated with Professor Deville in the preparation of the standard metre for the French Government. For this he was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and he also held other decorations and offices.
Mr. Matthey was elected an Associate of The Institution on the 7th December, 1880.
1913 Obituary [2]
GEORGE MATTHEY died at his residence, Cheyne House, Chelsea Embankment, on February 14, 1913.
He was a Member of the Legion of Honour of France, and of the Austrian Order of Francis Joseph, and received the Prussian Gold Medal for art and science. Mr. Matthey was a Vice-President of the Royal Institution from 1896-97, and a Fellow of the Royal Society.
He had the added distinction of being the first Honorary Member of the Institute of Metals.