The precursors: Humphry Davy

Humphry Davy, an English physician and chemist, who died in Geneva in 1829, is the ’author of several discoveries, such as laughing gas. He also taught chemistry, published various works. And was member of the Royal Society of London, becoming its president in 1820.Throughout his career, he obtained a number of distinctions for his works. He was also the inventor of the miner’s lamp, made of metal cloth, called the Davy lamp.

Around 1800, he worked with Thomas Wedgwood on the light sensitivity of silver salts, and published their results.

 

Illustration:
Sir Humphrey Davy «Dessiné d’après le Portrait original peint par T. Philips, et Gravé par Ambroise Tardieu».