George Fownes (1815-1849), English chemist. Fownes was born and educated at Enfield. Although his parents wanted him to enter commerce, Fownes had an early interest in chemistry and studied at Middlesex Hospital under Everitt then at Giessen in Germany. He became a popular lecturer, working at various hospitals and university departments in London. By 1845 he was at the brink of a promising career, he held the chair of chemistry at the Pharmaceutical Society and succeeded Everitt at Middlesex Hospital. He published many papers in organic chemistry including the synthesis of furfurine. However, he was diagnosed at this time with pulmonary disease. He visited Barbados in 1847 in the hope of being cured by the climate, but on returning to England in late 1848 caught a cold and died a few months later at the age of just 33.