A new exhibition featuring the life of Sir John Bennet Lawes was presented to the public by Rothamsted Research (an institute of the BBSRC), as part of the Harpenden and District Local History Society programme.

This exhibition describes the remarkable scientific achievements of Lawes, which had far reaching implications for agricultural science and practice world-wide. As a young man, Lawes had been interested in the effect of fertilisers on crop growth and, in 1843, started his first factory for the manufacture of artificial fertilisers. Lawes was not only a successful entrepreneur, he was destined to become one of the great Victorian scientists.

Rothamsted Research was granted the funding to produce this exhibition as part of the Royal Society Local Heroes Scheme. 2010 is the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society and the Local Heroes scheme aims to celebrate scientific heroes in local communities who have changed the way we see the world today.

Lawes became a fellow of the Royal Society in 1854 and in addition to his contribution to modern agricultural science, Lawes was an important figure in the Harpenden community. He was responsible for the establishment of schools, public lectures, the allotment club and the creation of Harpenden as a separate parish. Dr Henry Gilbert came to Rothamsted in 1843 and Lawes subsequently considered that hold the date of establishment of Rothamsted Experimental Station (now Rothamsted Research). In 1889, with one third of the proceeds of the sale of his fertiliser business, Sir John Bennet Lawes established and endowed The Lawes Agricultural Trust. The Trust operated the Station, now Rothamsted Research, from 1889 to 1990.

There will be an opportunity to see the exhibition during Rothamsted Research’s open weekend on 22-23 May 2010. During the open weekend Rothamsted Research will open its doors to the public, so they can experience, first hand, the scientific research of the institute today.

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For further information, please contact the Rothamsted Research Press Office. Dr Sharon Hall (Tel: +44 (0) 1582 763 133 ext 2757 or email sharon.hall@bbsrc.ac.uk) or Dr Adélia de Paula (Tel: +44 (0) 1582 763 133 ext 2260 or email adelia.depaula@bbsrc.ac.uk).

Rothamsted Research is based in Hertfordshire and is one of the largest agricultural research institutes in the country. The mission of Rothamsted Research is to be recognised internationally as a primary source of first-class scientific research and new knowledge that addresses stakeholder requirements for innovative policies, products and practices to enhance the economic, environmental and societal value of agricultural land. The Applied Crop Science department is based at Broom's Barn, Higham, Bury St. Edmunds. North Wyke Research is located near Okehampton in Devon. Rothamsted Research is an institute of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

About BBSRC

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK funding agency for research in the life sciences. Sponsored by Government, BBSRC annually invests around £470M in a wide range of research that makes a significant contribution to the quality of life for UK citizens and supports a number of important industrial stakeholders including the agriculture, food, chemical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. BBSRC carries out its mission by funding internationally competitive research, providing training in the biosciences, fostering opportunities for knowledge transfer and innovation and promoting interaction with the public and other stakeholders on issues of scientific interest in universities, centres and institutes.

For more information see www.bbsrc.ac.uk

Rothamsted Research celebrates the extraordinary life of local hero Sir John Bennet Lawes

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