Samurai Chemists, Charles Graham and Alexander William Williamson at University College London, 1863-1872

摘要

This article analyses the dynamic interactions between Japanese samurai student s in the 186os and their chemistry teachers at University College London (UCL) in chemical laboratories and other socialising spaces with theconcept of "contact zones." In addition to Alexander William Williamson (1824-1904), the professor of chemistry and practical chemistry, this article sheds light on the important role of lesser-known figures, especially Williamson's ex-student Charles Graham (1836-1909), who, as a junior teacher, had undoubtedly more chance to interact with samurai students and yet has been overlooked by historians to date.