Memoirs of the Life of Sir Humphry Davy

This 1836 memoir of Humphry Davy (1778–1829) by his brother makes extensive use of Davy's personal and professional papers.

John Davy (Author)

9781108038515, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 November 2011

432 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.4 cm, 0.55 kg

Sir Humphry Davy (1778–1829) was a hugely influential chemist, inventor, and public lecturer who is recognised as one of the first professional scientists. His apprenticeship to an apothecary in 1795 led to his introduction to chemical experiments. A chance meeting with Davis Giddy in 1798 introduced Davy into the wider scientific community, and in 1800 he was invited to a post at the Royal Institution, where he lectured to great acclaim. This two-volume memoir was published by his brother, Dr John Davy, in 1836, in response to Paris' biography of 1831, authorised by Lady Davy (also reissued in this series). John Davy had additional papers in his possession, and felt that Paris had failed to convey Sir Humphry's character as a man and philosopher. Volume 2 concentrates on his researches (including on the safety lamp) and travels in Europe. It includes poetry, and also memorials of Davy by friends.

1. Researches on fire-damp
2. Further chemical researches
3. His second journey on the continent
4. Letters to his brother
5. Researches on the corrosion of the copper sheathing of ships, and on its prevention
6. His occupations at Ravenna
7. Revisits the continent
8. His posthumous work, Consolations in Travel, or Last Days of a Philosopher
Index.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX]