Rudolph Messel (1848-1920) was born in Darmstadt, Germany, educated at Friedrichsdorf and later Zurich, Heidelberg and Turbingen.
After completing his studies he moved to England and worked his way up in the field of sulphuric acid manufacturing to become one of the most respected technologists of his day.
One of SCI's founding Members, he was an energetic and popular Member of the Society for many years and served in high office on several occasions, twice as World President. Messel remembered SCI in his Will, leaving an exceptionally generous bequest to fund our scholarship programme.