John Dalton. Coloured portrait of John Dalton (1766-1844), British meteorologist & chemist. Dalton was the first to propose the atomic theory of matter. This stated that every element is composed of small indivisible particles (atoms). It is on this theory that modern physical science is based. He was initially interested in meteor- ology. From 1787 to his death he kept daily weather records. Dalton also researched colour- blindness, a condition he suffered from. He asked that his eyes be preserved after his death, so scientists could research the condition. In 1995, scientists identified a faulty gene from Dalton's DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid). Engraving by C. Cook.