Roebuck, John, 1718–94, English physician, chemist, and
inventor. He acted as a chemical consultant to local industries
in Birmingham and invented the lead chamber process of
manufacturing sulfuric acid and a process for producing
malleable iron. He was a friend and patron of English engineer
James Watt and at one time held a large interest in Watt's steam
engine. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright
© 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.