Odling failed to achieve recognition, however, since it is suspected that he, as Secretary of the Chemical Society of London, was instrumental in discrediting Newlands' earlier work on the periodic table.
Namun, Odling gagal mendapat pengakuan, karena diduga ia, sebagai Sekretaris Chemical Society of London, berperan penting dalam mendiskreditkan karya Newlands pada tabel periodik sebelumnya.