1766 John Dalton 1844 John Dalton. A Cumberland man worked in Manchester from 1792 until his death. He made many advances in meteorology, the physics and chemistry of gases and the theory of combustion. He is remembered above all else for his concept of atomic theory and atomic weights published in his "New System of Chemical Philosophy", 1808-1810. These stones formed part of the memorial to John Dalton at Ardwick Cemetery and were moved here when the building of the College began in 1961.