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Sir Humphry Davy, Bt

(1778-1829), Natural philosopher

Sitter in 20 portraits
Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution, 1802-13. Davy undertook groundbreaking work with gases and electrolysis and in 1807 he demonstrated the existence of potassium, sodium and chlorine with a galvanic battery. He also experimented with diamond combustion and invented the miner's safety lamp in 1815, becoming President of the Royal Society 1820-7. From his close friends Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey he absorbed the concept of 'Romantic genius', to which he aspired. With charm and entrepreneurial flair, he joined a new breed of celebrity scientists. His experiments at the Royal Institution were so charismatic that they became social events. Witnessing these, Mary Shelley took Davy as the model for Dr Frankenstein, the scientist who holds a terrifying secret of life-giving power.

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Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by Henry Howard
NPG 4591

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by John Jackson
NPG 1794

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by Thomas Phillips
NPG 2546

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
after Sir Thomas Lawrence
NPG 1573

Men of Science Living in 1807-8
by Sir John Gilbert, and Frederick John Skill, and William Walker, and Elizabeth Walker (née Reynolds)
NPG 1075

Engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by George Zobel, and William Walker
NPG 1075a

Key to engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by William Walker
NPG 1075b

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by Albert Bruce-Joy
NPG 1273

'Scientific researches! - new discoveries in pneumaticks! - or - an experimental lecture on the powers of air'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
NPG D13036

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by Samuel William Reynolds, after Thomas Phillips
NPG D1731

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by Samuel William Reynolds, after Thomas Phillips
NPG D1732

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by William Henry Worthington, published by Agnew & Zanetti, and published by Rudolph Ackermann, after James Lonsdale
NPG D34825

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by William Henry Worthington, published by Agnew & Zanetti, and published by Rudolph Ackermann, after James Lonsdale
NPG D34826

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by G.R. Newton, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
NPG D9103

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by and published by William Walker, after John Jackson
NPG D34823

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by and published by William Walker, after John Jackson
NPG D20065

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by William Henry Worthington, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
NPG D34824

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by Charles Turner, after Henry Howard
NPG D1729

Sir Humphry Davy, Bt
by Charles Turner, after Henry Howard
NPG D1730

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Place

Cornwall

Media

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Sir Humphry Davy, Bt

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