Born in London and baptized at St. Paul's, Henry Holmes Croft was the son of a Deputy Paymaster General of Ordnance. After attending London schools, he was employed as a clerk in the Ordnance office while attending the University of London part-time where he became enthralled with experimental chemistry. Based on his enthusiasm, noted scientist Michael Faraday encouraged Croft's father to send him to the University of Berlin. Croft enrolled at the University of Berlin in 1838, advancing his Chemistry studies for 3 1/2 years and developing an interest in entomology.
In 1842, King's College, Toronto, Canada, hired Croft as Chair of Chemistry and Experimental Philosophy. Croft and fellow professor Dr. William Gwynne opposed the Church of England's control over King's College; their efforts to secularize the university were successful in 1850 when the school became the University of Toronto. That year, Croft became Vice-Chancellor of the University; he remained in that post until 1853. In 1857, he was elected to the University Senate.
In 1861, England (and Canada) became upset when United States authorities removed two Confederate Ambassadors to England from a British ship, the HMS Trent. Croft organized a militia company, 9th Company, Queen's Own Rifles, among members of the university and was elected captain. Although war between England and the United States never materialized, Croft remained in the unit for several years, retiring at the rank of major.
In 1877, he was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Chairman of the Board of an affiliate institution of the Univeristy of Toronto, the School of Practical Science, Toronto (now the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering). Croft was one of the founders of the Royal Canadian Institute and the Entomological Society of Canada. He also developed a reputation for his knowledge of poisons and forensics and he was frequently called upon as an expert in various court cases involving homicides.
In 1880, Croft retired to his son William's farm near San Diego in Duval County, Texas, where he died.
Croft married Mary Ann Shaw in 1844; together they had seven children.
In 1842, King's College, Toronto, Canada, hired Croft as Chair of Chemistry and Experimental Philosophy. Croft and fellow professor Dr. William Gwynne opposed the Church of England's control over King's College; their efforts to secularize the university were successful in 1850 when the school became the University of Toronto. That year, Croft became Vice-Chancellor of the University; he remained in that post until 1853. In 1857, he was elected to the University Senate.
In 1861, England (and Canada) became upset when United States authorities removed two Confederate Ambassadors to England from a British ship, the HMS Trent. Croft organized a militia company, 9th Company, Queen's Own Rifles, among members of the university and was elected captain. Although war between England and the United States never materialized, Croft remained in the unit for several years, retiring at the rank of major.
In 1877, he was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Chairman of the Board of an affiliate institution of the Univeristy of Toronto, the School of Practical Science, Toronto (now the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering). Croft was one of the founders of the Royal Canadian Institute and the Entomological Society of Canada. He also developed a reputation for his knowledge of poisons and forensics and he was frequently called upon as an expert in various court cases involving homicides.
In 1880, Croft retired to his son William's farm near San Diego in Duval County, Texas, where he died.
Croft married Mary Ann Shaw in 1844; together they had seven children.
Born in London and baptized at St. Paul's, Henry Holmes Croft was the son of a Deputy Paymaster General of Ordnance. After attending London schools, he was employed as a clerk in the Ordnance office while attending the University of London part-time where he became enthralled with experimental chemistry. Based on his enthusiasm, noted scientist Michael Faraday encouraged Croft's father to send him to the University of Berlin. Croft enrolled at the University of Berlin in 1838, advancing his Chemistry studies for 3 1/2 years and developing an interest in entomology.
In 1842, King's College, Toronto, Canada, hired Croft as Chair of Chemistry and Experimental Philosophy. Croft and fellow professor Dr. William Gwynne opposed the Church of England's control over King's College; their efforts to secularize the university were successful in 1850 when the school became the University of Toronto. That year, Croft became Vice-Chancellor of the University; he remained in that post until 1853. In 1857, he was elected to the University Senate.
In 1861, England (and Canada) became upset when United States authorities removed two Confederate Ambassadors to England from a British ship, the HMS Trent. Croft organized a militia company, 9th Company, Queen's Own Rifles, among members of the university and was elected captain. Although war between England and the United States never materialized, Croft remained in the unit for several years, retiring at the rank of major.
In 1877, he was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Chairman of the Board of an affiliate institution of the Univeristy of Toronto, the School of Practical Science, Toronto (now the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering). Croft was one of the founders of the Royal Canadian Institute and the Entomological Society of Canada. He also developed a reputation for his knowledge of poisons and forensics and he was frequently called upon as an expert in various court cases involving homicides.
In 1880, Croft retired to his son William's farm near San Diego in Duval County, Texas, where he died.
Croft married Mary Ann Shaw in 1844; together they had seven children.
In 1842, King's College, Toronto, Canada, hired Croft as Chair of Chemistry and Experimental Philosophy. Croft and fellow professor Dr. William Gwynne opposed the Church of England's control over King's College; their efforts to secularize the university were successful in 1850 when the school became the University of Toronto. That year, Croft became Vice-Chancellor of the University; he remained in that post until 1853. In 1857, he was elected to the University Senate.
In 1861, England (and Canada) became upset when United States authorities removed two Confederate Ambassadors to England from a British ship, the HMS Trent. Croft organized a militia company, 9th Company, Queen's Own Rifles, among members of the university and was elected captain. Although war between England and the United States never materialized, Croft remained in the unit for several years, retiring at the rank of major.
In 1877, he was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Chairman of the Board of an affiliate institution of the Univeristy of Toronto, the School of Practical Science, Toronto (now the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering). Croft was one of the founders of the Royal Canadian Institute and the Entomological Society of Canada. He also developed a reputation for his knowledge of poisons and forensics and he was frequently called upon as an expert in various court cases involving homicides.
In 1880, Croft retired to his son William's farm near San Diego in Duval County, Texas, where he died.
Croft married Mary Ann Shaw in 1844; together they had seven children.
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