James Keir (1735–1820) was a Scottish chemist, geologist, industrialist, and inventor, best known for his contributions to the early chemical industry and his association with the Lunar Society of Birmingham.
Born in Edinburgh, Keir served as an officer in the British Army before resigning his commission to pursue scientific and commercial interests. He settled in the West Midlands, where he became a central figure in the region's industrial development.
Keir's scientific work focused on the chemistry of alkalis and the properties of gases. He translated and annotated the works of French chemists, including Antoine Lavoisier, helping to disseminate the new chemical nomenclature in Britain. His own research included experiments on the solubility of gases in water and the crystallization of salts.
Industrially, Keir was a pioneer in the large-scale manufacture of alkalis (potash and soda) and soap. In partnership with Alexander Blair, he established a chemical works at Tipton, near Birmingham, which became a major supplier of alkali for the textile, glass, and soap industries. He also developed a method for producing alkali from common salt, anticipating the later Leblanc process.
A founding member of the Lunar Society, Keir collaborated with figures such as Matthew Boulton, James Watt, Joseph Priestley, and Erasmus Darwin. He contributed to the society's discussions on chemistry, geology, and mechanics.
In geology, Keir studied the stratigraphy of the Midlands and corresponded with James Hutton. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1786) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of London (1790).
Keir died at his home in West Bromwich in 1820. His correspondence and papers remain a significant source for the history of the Industrial Revolution and the development of chemical science in Britain.
