Charles James (chemist)

Charles James (27 April 1880 – 10 December 1928) was a chemist of British origin working in the United States. After studying under William Ramsay at University College London, he joined the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts (now the University of New Hampshire). He became a professor and head of the chemistry department, separating and identifying rare-earth elements by fractional precipitation and crystallization. He isolated element 71, later named lutetium.

In 1999 the American Chemical Society recognized Charles James's work in chemical separations as a National Historic Chemical Landmark.