author
Charles Morton Aikman
1861–1902
A Scottish agricultural chemist who turned complex farm science into practical books for students and working farmers. His writing focused on soil, crops, milk, and manure—subjects he treated with clarity and usefulness rather than fuss.
1 Audiobook
Manures and the principles of manuring
by Charles Morton Aikman
About the author
Born in Glasgow in 1861, Charles Morton Aikman studied science at the University of Glasgow, specializing in organic chemistry. He went on to earn an MA, a BSc, and later a DSc, building a strong academic foundation before moving into teaching and scientific writing.
Aikman lectured in chemistry at Glasgow University and, while still relatively young, became Professor of Chemistry at the Glasgow Veterinary College. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a sign of the respect he had earned in scientific circles.
His books were closely tied to everyday agriculture. Works such as Manures and the Principles of Manuring and Milk, Its Nature and Composition show his talent for explaining the chemistry behind farming in a way that could help readers apply it in real life. He died in 1902, but his work still reflects a period when agricultural science was becoming more systematic and modern.