John Dalton John Dalton was born on September 6, 1766 in Eaglesfield, Cumberland, England. John Dalton was a British chemist and physicist who developed the atomic theory of matter and therefore is known as one of the fathers of modern physical science. Dalton was the son of a Quaker weaver. When only 12 he became in charge of a Quaker school in Cumberland. Two years later he taught with his brother at a school in Kendal, where he stayed for 12 years. He then became a teacher of mathematics and natural philosophy at New College in Manchester, a college established by the Presbyterians to give a first-class education to both