Odling failed to achieve recognition, however, since it is suspected that he, as Secretary of the Chemical Society of London, was instrumental in discrediting John Alexander Reina Newlands' efforts at getting his own periodic table published.
Namun, Odling gagal mencapai pengakuan, karena diduga bahwa dia, sebagai Sekretaris Chemical Society of London, berperan penting dalam mendiskreditkan upaya John Alexander Reina Newlands untuk membuat tabel periodiknya sendiri diterbitkan.