A distinguished doctor, chemist and physicist, Thomas Andrews’ work on the liquidation of gases was instrumental in the science that would lead to invention of the household fridge.

Born in Belfast in 1813, Thomas Andrews was a remarkable prodigy, publishing his first scientific papers at the age of just 15. He enrolled at Trinity College Dublin, earning distinctions in classical studies and science. He then went on to complete his medical studies in Edinburgh in 1835, aged 22.

Within a year he was appointed both Professor of Chemistry at the Belfast Academical Institution and attending physician at the Belfast General Hospital.

In 1845 he became vice-president of the newly established Queen’s College, Belfast (now QUB), where he was also its first professor of chemistry.

Andrews’ most ground-breaking work was his research into liquid gas. This proved that the gaseous and liquid states are capable of passing into one another by a process of continuous change. His discovery paved the way for the development of cryotechnology, and the industrial gases industry that has played such a significant role in shaping modern life today.

In the course of his career Thomas Andrews received many awards and recognitions, including one of the most prestigious of all, a medal from the Royal Society in 1844. A modest man, Andrews is said to have declined a knighthood for his work.

Andrews died in 1885 and is buried in the City Cemetery. His grave was recently restored, ensuring his contribution to the modern world is not forgotten.

Bhí Thomas Andrews, ina dhochtúir, ceimiceoir agus fisiceoir mór le rá, agus bhí an obair a rinne sé ar leachtú na ngás ríthábhachtach san eolaíocht a bhí taobh thiar de chéadcheapadh an chuisneora.

Rugadh i mBéal Feirste sa bhliain 1813 é, ba dhuine óg sárthréitheach é agus d’fhoilsigh sé na chéad pháipéir eolaíochta s’aige nuair nach raibh sé ach 15 d’aois. Chláraigh sé ar Choláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath, agus bhain sé pasanna le gradam amach sa léann chlasaiceach agus san eolaíocht. Chuaigh sé ar aghaidh ansin le staidéar a dhéanamh ar an leigheas i nDún Éideann sa bhliain 1835, agus é 22 d’aois.

Taobh istigh de bhliain, ceapadh é mar Ollamh le Ceimic ag Institiúid Oideachais Bhéal Feirste agus mar lia freastail in Ospidéal Ginearálta Bhéal Feirste.

Sa bhliain 1845, bhí sé ina leasuachtarán i gColáiste na Banríona, Béal Feirste, a bhí nuabhunaithe (anois Ollscoil na Banríona), áit a raibh sé mar an chéad ollamh le ceimic fosta.

Is í an obair is ceannródaíche a rinne Andrews ná a chuid taighde ar an ghás leachtach. Chruthaigh sé go bhfuil staideanna gásacha agus leachtacha ábalta malartú a dhéanamh trí phróiseas leanúnach athraithe. Rinne sé an bealach a réiteach d’fhorbairt na crióitheicneolaíochta, agus tionscal na ngás tionsclaíoch - agus bhí tionchar nár bheag aige sin ar shaol an lae inniu. 

Fuair Thomas Andrews a lán gradam agus aitheantais i rith a ghairme, bonn ón Chumann Ríoga in 1844 san áireamh, a bhí ar na cinn is measúla. Fear umhal a bhí ann, deirtear gur dhiúltaigh sé ridireacht don obair a rinne sé.

Fuair Andrews bás sa bhliain 1885 agus tá sé curtha i Reilig na Cathrach. Rinneadh an uaigh s’aige a athchóiriú ar na mallaibh, rud a chinnteoidh nach ligfear i ndearmad an méid a rinne sé.