William George Wagner died in London, on 19th March, 1949, at the age of 75.
He was educated privately in London and in Germany, and in 1891 was articled for three years to Mr. H.W. Wallis, consulting chemist and assayer, and attended courses of lectures at University College, London. In 1894 he was appointed assistant to Mr. Alfred H. Allen, and two years later to Mr. R. Waterhouse, as chemist and assayer. From 1897 to 1898 he held the appointment of metallurgical chemist and assayer to Sulphides Reduction Syndicate, Ltd., Llanelly, and in 1899 and 1900 was chief metallurgical chemist to British Sulphides Reduction Co., Ltd., at Angouléme, France. For eight years, from 1901 to 1909, Mr. Wagner was connected in technical and managerial capacities with two chemical manufacturing companies, and from 1901 until his death worked privately and with Mr. G.T. Holloway (later Messrs. G.T. Holloway & Co., Ltd.) in London. He first did research work and reporting on metallurgical processes, and in 1910 was made a member of the firm.
Mr. Wagner was elected to Membership of the Institution in 1914 and served for 18 years on the Council, from l930 to 1948, holding the office of Vice-President for the three Sessions 1933-36.
Dr. S.W. Smith writes: Many of our members and others intimately associated with the metallurgical profession, both here in London and in many parts of the world, will learn with deep regret of the death of Mr. Wagner. Those of us who have served with him on the Council for many years have lost a valued friend whose ever cheerful presence, in spite of a physical handicap, has been an inspiring example to us all.
His wide knowledge and experience, both of men and of affairs, in relation to those matters which are the chief concern of the Institution have always been readily available to those with whom he has shared in the guidance of the Institution’s various activities. As Chairman of the Publications Committee during the difficult period from 1942 until 1947 this knowledge and experience has been invaluable in the adjudication of contributions submitted for publication. His acquaintance with collateral matters has often revealed unexpected depths.
Mr. Wagner’s professional work as a consultant, extending over 56 years, covered a period when advances in the metallurgical treatment of mined products were undergoing rapid and fundamental changes and expansions in all directions, particularly, perhaps, in regard to the adaptation of flotation methods to processes of concentration. With these developments he had been in close and constant touch throughout, both before and after he became associated with another esteemed member of our institution, the late Mr. G.T. Holloway, in 1910.
In directing the activities of the firm bearing that honoured name, he may be said to have represented one of the few remaining of those consultants on matters of metallurgical treatment and valuation here in London, from whom guidance and assistance was sought in a particularly intimate and personal capacity.
Former and present Members of Council will remember with gratitude his unceasing interest and help in organizing those social gatherings, under the auspices of the Council Club, which have done so much to afford opportunities of meeting and welcoming members and visitors from overseas.
Vol. 59, Trans IMM 1949-50, p.?
