Humphry Davy
Science and Power
Part of Cambridge Science Biographies
- Author: David Knight, University of Durham
- Date Published: February 1998
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521565394
Paperback
Looking for an inspection copy?
This title is not currently available on inspection
-
In this illuminating and entertaining biography David Knight draws upon Humphry Davy's poetry, notebooks, and informal writings to introduce us to one of the first professional scientists. Davy is best remembered for his work on laughing gas, for the arc lamp, for isolating sodium and potassium, for his theory that chemical affinity is electrical, and, of course, for his safety lamp. His lectures on science made the fortunes of the Royal Institution in London, and he taught chemistry to the young Faraday. He is also recognized for his poetry and was the friend of Coleridge, Wordsworth, and Byron. By investigating Davy's life Knight shows what it was like to be a creative scientist in Regency Britain, demonstrating the development of science and its institutions during this crucial period in history.
Read more- Encompasses all of Davy's multifaceted activities; emphasises lectures, popular writings, and poetry as well as prose and research
- Vividly depicts what it was like to be a creative scientist in Regency England
- Covers the relationship between Davy and Faraday
Reviews & endorsements
'… absorbing and so beautifully written … it is indeed rare to encounter a text that at one and the same time represents a major piece of scholarship and yet is notably accessible, illuminating and entertaining.' Dr B. Dixon, New Scientist
See more reviews'I highly recommend this book. Knight has vividly depicted the life and times of the greatest creative scientist in Regency Britain along with the development of science and its institutions during this crucial historical period.' George B. Kauffman, Chemistry and Industry
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: February 1998
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521565394
- length: 236 pages
- dimensions: 227 x 152 x 18 mm
- weight: 0.37kg
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
General Editor's Preface
Introduction
1. Beginning: the Meaning of Life
2. Growing up
3. Clifton
4. The Bright Day
5. Electric affinity
6. Forces, powers and chemistry
7. A Chemical Honeymoon, in France
8. The Safety Lamp
9. A Son in Science: Davy and Faraday
10. President
11. Salmonia
12. Consolations
Notes
Select bibliography
Index.
Related Books
related journals
also by this author
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email [email protected]
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×