Humphry Davy

NAME Humphry Davy

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Humphry Davy was a pioneering chemist known for his discovery of several elements, his invention of the Davy lamp for miners, and his experiments with nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

BIRTH Born on December 17, 1778, in Penzance, Cornwall.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Davy was the eldest of five children (one brother and three sisters). His father, a Cornish wood carver and small farmer, died when Davy was 16.

Humphry Davy's mother was Grace Millett. She came from an old but no longer wealthy family. Grace Millett had a tragic family history. Her parents died within a few hours of each other from malignant fever when Grace and her two sisters were young. After this, they were adopted by John Tonkin, an eminent surgeon in Penzance

CHILDHOOD Davy showed early signs of intellectual curiosity and a love for literature and poetry. He was known for his lively imagination and talent for storytelling.

He enjoyed writing poetry and sketching, building fireworks, and spending time outdoors fishing and shooting. He also developed a keen interest in collecting minerals, showcasing his inherent curiosity and creative nature, which would become valuable assets in his scientific endeavors.

He was encouraged to pursue science by Davies Goddy, a local figure of significance who allowed Davy access to his laboratory.

EDUCATION Humphry Davy's formal education began at the Penzance grammar school at six. When his family moved to Varfell three years later, he continued his studies by boarding with his godfather, John Tonkin. Interestingly, his teacher, Dr. Cardew, did not seem to recognize Davy's potential, although Davy excelled in his studies.

Following his father's death in 1794, Davy was apprenticed to a surgeon, John Bingham Borlase. This apprenticeship provided him with valuable hands-on scientific experience. He also began conducting his own experiments at home, much to the amusement, or perhaps annoyance, of his family and friends.

A turning point came in 1797 when Davy learned French from a refugee priest. This newfound skill allowed him to delve into the works of Antoine Lavoisier, a prominent French chemist, whose ideas significantly influenced Davy's future scientific pursuits.

Davy's thirst for knowledge extended beyond the confines of his apprenticeship and formal schooling. He was a self-motivated learner who actively pursued a broad range of subjects, including theology, philosophy, poetry, and even mastering seven languages. Notably, his studies encompassed various scientific disciplines, with a particular focus on chemistry. This self-directed education equipped Davy with a diverse knowledge base and honed his skills, which would later propel him to success as a renowned scientist and captivating lecturer.

CAREER RECORD 1798: Employed by Thomas Beddoes to work in his laboratory.

1800: Published Researches, Chemical and Philosophical Chiefly Concerning Nitrous Oxide and its Respiration.

1802: Appointed Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution in London.

1815: Developed the Davy lamp to improve miner safety.

1820 Appointed President of the Royal Society. He served in the position until 1827.

APPEARANCE Davy was described as a handsome and expressive man, attracting significant attention during his lectures.

Humphry Davy Portrait by Thomas Phillips, 1821

FASHION Davy’s approach to fashion and personal hygiene was unconventional. He rarely bathed, often wore multiple layers of clothing simultaneously, and was known for putting on clean linen over dirty.

CHARACTER Davy was passionate, ambitious, and intellectually curious but became embittered in later years due to professional rivalries, particularly with Michael Faraday.

SPEAKING VOICE His lectures at the Royal Institution were celebrated for their brilliance and magnetism, drawing large audiences.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Humphry Davy's sense of humor was closely intertwined with his scientific pursuits, particularly his experiments with nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas." These experiments revealed a playful and sometimes mischievous side to the renowned chemist. Davy himself coined the term "laughing gas" due to the euphoric effects of the substance. He frequently reported experiencing an "irresistible disposition to laugh" while under its influence. 

One amusing anecdote recounts an occasion where Davy inhaled the gas outdoors, subsequently passing out. Upon regaining consciousness, he found himself struggling to explain his amusement to a bewildered onlooker, resorting to "laughing and stomping."

Davy's humor extended beyond his experimental observations. He displayed a keen wit in his writing, as evidenced by a satirical poem penned in the style of Lord Byron's Don Juan. This poem served to mock a rival scientist's patent, demonstrating Davy's ability to blend humor with scientific discourse. 

RELATIONSHIPS Humphry Davy's wedding to Jane Apreece took place on April 11, 1812, at her mother's residence in Portland Place, London. The ceremony was officiated by the Lord Bishop of Carlisle. This momentous occasion followed just three days after Davy was knighted by the Prince Regent.

A depiction of Humphry Davy and Jane Apreece's wedding 

Jane Apreece, a wealthy Scottish widow and prominent figure in London society, brought substantial wealth to the marriage. This financial security allowed Davy to resign from his professorship at the Royal Institution in 1813, enabling him to dedicate himself fully to his chemical research.

The newlyweds embarked on their honeymoon in Scotland, visiting prominent figures. Despite being on their honeymoon, Davy's scientific curiosity remained strong, as he brought along a small chemical apparatus and conducted research on gunpowder during their travels. However, Jane's disapproval of his scientific pursuits, particularly after he brought a chemical chest on their honeymoon, suggests that their marriage may have been strained from the outset.

The marriage ultimately proved to be unhappy and childless. Nevertheless, Jane commissioned a portrait of Humphry by the renowned artist Thomas Lawrence around 1821, a testament to her recognition of his significant contributions to science, even amidst their marital challenges. 

Davy's scientific pursuits were fostered by his connections with prominent figures such as Davies Giddy (later Gilbert), who granted him access to his extensive library and introduced him to other influential scientists. Thomas Beddoes, a physician and scientific writer, offered Davy a position at the Pneumatic Institution in Bristol, providing him with a crucial platform for his research. The Watt family, including James Watt, the renowned engineer, and his son, Gregory, who lodged with the Davy family, provided valuable guidance and support in Davy's chemical studies.

Beyond the scientific realm, Davy forged strong friendships with prominent literary figures. He formed a close bond with Robert Southey, one of the Lake Poets, whom he met during his time in Bristol. This connection led him to Samuel Taylor Coleridge, another prominent Lake Poet, who became a close friend. Through these connections, Davy also formed an acquaintance with William Wordsworth, further enriching his social and intellectual circles. Davy also regularly visited Sir Walter Scott at his Abbotsford home.

MONEY AND FAME Humphry Davy's combination of scientific brilliance, showmanship, and social connections propelled him from humble beginnings to a position of great wealth and fame, making him one of the first professional scientists to achieve true celebrity status in England.

Humphry Davy's rise to wealth and fame was meteoric, transforming him from a provincial chemist to one of the most celebrated scientists of his time.

His lectures were immensely popular due to his charismatic speaking style and flair for the theatrical. His ability to combine scientific information with spectacular demonstrations made his talks major social events.

Davy achieved significant fame, with his lectures becoming major social events. He refused to patent the Davy lamp, believing it immoral to profit from saving lives.

Science Museum Group Journal

FOOD AND DRINK Davy incorporated alcohol into some of his experiments with nitrous oxide. On one occasion, he drank a whole bottle of wine in less than eight minutes before inhaling nitrous oxide.

"Sir Humphry Davy

Abominated gravy

He lived in the odium

Of having discovered sodium". EC Bentley Biography for Beginners

MUSIC AND ARTS On his return from a visit to Paris, Davy was asked what he thought of the picture galleries there. "The finest collection of frames I ever saw." was the reply. (1)

During the early 19th century, Davy attempted to capture images on light-sensitive paper, anticipating the development of photography. Though his initial efforts were unsuccessful, his experiments contributed to the ongoing exploration of this emerging field.

Laughing gas was an entertainment when popular showmen would ask for volunteers from the audience, make them inhale the stuff and hilarious laughter would ensue. Today it is one of the most widely used anaesthetic inhalants and is rumoured to be used by many sitcom writers on studio audiences.

LITERATURE A prolific writer, Davy published numerous scientific papers and books including in 1800 Researches, Chemical and Philosophical Chiefly Concerning Nitrous Oxide and its Respiration.

Davy had connections to prominent literary figures such as Coleridge, Southey, and Wordsworth. He also assisted in editing the second edition of Wordsworth’s Lyrical Ballads.

 Davy wrote over 160 poems, most of which were kept in his personal notebooks. He shared some with friends, and eight were published. They were admired by his contemporaries but less esteemed by modern critics. 

At the young age of 21, Davy composed a poem about his discovery of nitrous oxide's effects, combining his scientific observations with a humorous literary approach, further showcasing his multifaceted personality.

His posthumous work Consolations in Travel combined poetry, science, and philosophy.

NATURE Davy's fascination with nature inspired many of his experiments and observations. His early interest in collecting minerals and rocks complemented his later scientific studies.

He conducted outdoor experiments, such as rubbing ice plates together to demonstrate energy transfer, showing his keen observation of natural processes.

PETS Davy kept a dog, which he used for his shooting expeditions

He owned a pony named "Derby" which he used to ride to visit his parents when he was a schoolboy.

In 1826, Davy, along with Sir Stamford Raffles and other scientists, collectors, and gentlemen, founded the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). This society was established with the purpose of forming a collection of animals for the advancement of zoological knowledge1.

The Zoological Society of London obtained a lease on an area of Regent's Park in 1826 and appointed Decimus Burton to design the gardens and animal accommodations. Although Raffles died shortly after the society's founding, Davy continued to be involved in its early development.

London Zoo, which opened to the public on April 27, 1828, was a direct result of the efforts of the Zoological Society of London5. It is considered the world's oldest scientific zoo, reflecting the growing scientific curiosity and exploration of wildlife in the early 19th century

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Davy was a keen sportsman especially shooting and fishing.

Davy was an expert angler, described by his brother as being "a little mad" about fishing. He wrote Salmonia or Days of Fly Fishing by an Angler.

Geology was both a professional and personal interest for Davy.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Davy's scientific contributions were numerous and significant. He is credited with the discovery of seven elements, including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. He also conducted pioneering research in electrochemistry and was the first to produce electric light, albeit for a very short duration.

Furthermore, Davy's scientific curiosity led him to investigate a mysterious substance provided by Monsieur Ampère, ultimately leading to the discovery of iodine. Finally, in 1836, he discovered acetylene, a gas renowned for producing a higher heat output than any other known fuel.

INVENTIONS In 1815, Davy invented the Davy lamp, a revolutionary safety lamp for use in coal mines. Designed to prevent the ignition of flammable gases, the first trial of a Davy lamp with a wire sieve was at Hebburn Colliery on January 9, 1816.

A Davy lamp was famously taken down a mine shaft by the Reverend John Hodgson without informing anyone. This act, while bold, highlights the urgency of finding solutions to the dangers faced by miners in the pre-gas lighting era.

Davy's first safety lantern, 1815 (at left)

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Davy's philosophy and theology combined elements of scientific rationalism, Romantic idealism, and a progressive view of civilization, all underpinned by a belief in the essential role of religion in human life. His views reflect the complex intellectual landscape of the early 19th century, bridging Enlightenment thought with Romantic sensibilities.

Davy’s philosophical musings were evident in Consolations in Travel, blending scientific and metaphysical ideas.

POLITICS Davy’s scientific achievements earned him recognition even during wartime, including a prize from Napoleon while Britain and France were at war.

SCANDAL Davy’s personal hygiene and jealousy toward Michael Faraday became topics of gossip and critique.

MILITARY RECORD His inventions had societal impacts akin to saving lives in hazardous environments.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS In October 1812, Humphry Davy suffered a serious laboratory accident. The incident occurred while he was conducting experiments with nitrogen trichloride, a highly unstable and explosive compound.  Davy was leaning over a container of chemicals when it exploded, severely injuring his eye. 

This accident was not entirely surprising given Davy's reputation as an enthusiastic and sometimes careless experimenter. His brother reportedly commented that it was remarkable Davy didn't have more injuries, as "exposure to danger was an everyday occurrence" in his laboratory work.

The injury took several months to heal, during which time Davy needed assistance in the laboratory. This led him to hire Michael Faraday as his assistant, a decision that would have far-reaching consequences for the field of science, as Faraday went on to become one of the most innovative scientists in history.

Frequent exposure to chemicals left Davy an invalid for the last two decades of his life.

Humphry Davy conducted pioneering research on nitrous oxide (laughing gas) in the late 1700s. He not only investigated its effects but also dramatically demonstrated its potential by inhaling it himself to alleviate the pain of a tooth abscess. This groundbreaking experiment, conducted between 1798 and 1801, marked the first known use of an anesthetic. While he observed the euphoric and pain-relieving effects of the gas, Davy unfortunately never fully recognized its potential as a surgical anesthetic. He primarily saw its value in inducing laughter and relieving pain in a more general sense.

HOMES Humphry Davy was born at No. 4, The Terrace (now Market Jew Street) in Penzance, Cornwall. This house belonged to Dr. John Tonkin, a surgeon and apothecary, who played a significant role in Davy's early life.

Source Welcome Collection

In October 1798, Davy moved to Bristol to work at the Pneumatic Institution under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Beddoes. He initially resided at Beddoes' home in Clifton, which was well-equipped with a laboratory. Later, Beddoes relocated to a larger and more impressive residence in Rodney Place, described as "the best at Clifton," which also boasted an excellent laboratory.

In 1801, Davy accepted a position at the Royal Institution in London. As part of his employment, he was provided with a room to reside within the institution itself, marking a significant step in his professional and personal life.

In the 1820s conducted experiments in the basement of 14 Buckingham Street.

TRAVEL Humphry Davy embarked on several extensive tours of Europe throughout his life, combining scientific pursuits with personal and cultural experiences. In October 1813, he, his wife Jane, and his assistant Michael Faraday embarked on a grand tour of Europe. Their journey took them to France, where Davy received a medal awarded by Napoleon Bonaparte for his contributions to electrochemistry. In Paris, he investigated a mysterious substance, later identified as iodine, at the request of the renowned chemist Gay-Lussac.

The tour continued to Italy, with visits to Florence, Rome, and Naples. In Florence, Davy and Faraday conducted experiments using sunlight to ignite diamond, definitively proving its composition of pure carbon. They also explored Mount Vesuvius, collecting volcanic crystal samples. Their travels included stops in Milan, where they met Alessandro Volta, and Geneva. Plans to extend their journey to Greece and Constantinople were unfortunately thwarted by Napoleon's escape from Elba.

In his later years, Davy undertook further European tours, including visits to Norway and Sweden.. These trips blended scientific investigations with social engagements and leisure activities such as angling and geological studies. Davy embraced the persona of a "philosophical traveler," seeking both scientific knowledge and aesthetic experiences. He meticulously studied volcanoes and other chemical phenomena encountered during his travels. The contemplation of geological formations and the vastness of geological time provided Davy with profound and sublime experiences that significantly influenced his later writings.

Tragically, during one of his later European tours in 1829, Davy's health deteriorated significantly. He traveled to Italy, likely seeking a more favorable climate, but ultimately succumbed to a stroke in Geneva

DEATH Sir Humphry Davy passed away on May 29, 1829, in Geneva, Switzerland, at the age of 50. His death followed a series of health challenges. In March of that year, newspapers reported that Davy had suffered an "attack of apoplectic tendency," likely referring to a stroke. Earlier in Rome, his health had significantly deteriorated, prompting his wife Jane to travel from London to be by his side.

It is believed that Davy's declining health in his later years may have been partly attributed to the cumulative effects of his extensive chemical experiments and his frequent inhalation of various substances throughout his career.

Davy was laid to rest in the Plain Palais Cemetery (also known as Cimetière des Rois) in Geneva, Switzerland. While his physical remains are interred there, his legacy is commemorated in several locations. A marble memorial plaque was erected on the north wall of the chapel of St. Andrew in Westminster Abbey, London, honoring his significant contributions to science. Additionally, a statue of Davy stands proudly at the top of Market Jew Street in his hometown of Penzance, Cornwall, serving as a lasting tribute to this renowned scientist and inventor.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Davy has been depicted in biographies and documentaries focused on his scientific contributions and personal eccentricities.

ACHIEVEMENTS Discovered seven elements.

Invented the Davy lamp for miner safety.

Published influential works on nitrous oxide and chemistry.

Mentored Michael Faraday, who later surpassed him in scientific achievement.

Combined science and philosophy in the posthumous Consolations in Travel.

Source (1) The Faber Book of Anecdotes