John Dalton was an English chemist, physicist and meteorologist. He is best known for his pioneering work in the development of modern atomic theory, and his research into colour blindness.

John Dalton was born into a Quaker family at the settlement of Eaglesfield in the county of Cumberland, England on September 6th,1766. His father was a weaver. He received his early education from his father and from Quaker John Fletcher, who ran a private school at Pardshaw Hall. With his family too poor to support him for long, he began to earn his living at the age of ten in the service of a wealthy local Quaker, Elihu Robinson. It is said he began teaching at a local school at age 12, and was prolific in Latin at age 14.

Biography