Bell, James (1825–1908), chemist, was born in Altnanaghan, Newtownhamilton, Co. Armagh in November 1825. His parents’ names are not known. He was educated privately and at University College, London (1850–53), where he studied chemistry and mathematics. He had joined the inland revenue laboratory in London in 1846, becoming deputy principal in 1867 and principal from 1874 until his retirement in 1894. The laboratory was established under the provisions of the tobacco act (1842) and was at first solely concerned with detecting the adulteration of tobacco, but the scope of its work expanded, and other government departments increasingly referred to it for chemical advice and analytical services. On the amendment of the sale of food and drugs act (1875), Bell became the chemical referee to whom disputed analyses were referred in cases of alleged adulteration of foodstuffs, drink, or drugs. His reputation rests on his pioneering work in developing and standardising methods for the chemical analysis of food. He also acted (1868–94) as chemical inspector of the lime and lemon juices supplied to the British merchant navy and served as consultant chemist to the government of India from 1869 to his retirement from the public service.
He received a Ph.D. from Erlangen (1882) and an honorary D.Sc. from the Royal University of Ireland (1886), and was made FRS (1884), president of the Institute of Chemistry (1888–91), and CB (1889). He married Ellen, daughter of W. Reece of Chester, and had one son. Bell died at home (52 Cromwell Road, Hove, Sussex) on 31 March 1908. The results of his researches were embodied in The analysis and adulteration of food (2 pts, 1881, 1883) and in a shorter work, The chemistry of tobacco (1887).