Sir William Crookes was an English chemist and physicist, born in 1832. He is best known for his work on cathode rays, which led to the discovery of the electron. Crookes invented the Crookes tube, an early type of vacuum tube that played a crucial role in the development of modern electronics. In addition to his contributions to physics, Crookes was also interested in spiritualism and conducted experiments in this field. He was a prominent figure in the scientific community and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1878. Crookes passed away in 1919, leaving a lasting legacy in science.