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Henry Cavendish

(1731-1810), Physicist

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 4 portraits
Henry Cavendish was the outstanding natural philosopher of his time. A retiring young man, he joined the Royal Society in 1758. He was elected a Fellow shortly thereafter and joined the Society's dining club. He was profoundly respected by his contemporaries in the Society and was elected to its Council in 1765. In 1764 he started conducting scientific experiments and his first paper was published two years later. These experiments covered many areas of physics, chemistry and electrical forces and many remained unpublished during his lifetime. He discovered the constitutions of water and air and is credited with the earliest accurate calculation of the force of gravity.

Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below

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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

Men of Science Living in 1807-8

by Sir John Gilbert, and Frederick John Skill, and William Walker, and Elizabeth Walker (née Reynolds)
pencil and wash, 1858-1862
NPG 1075

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

Engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'

by George Zobel, and William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075a

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

Key to engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'

by William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075b

Henry Cavendish, probably by Christian Rosenberg, published by John Weale, after William Alexander - NPG D16591

Henry Cavendish

probably by Christian Rosenberg, published by John Weale, after William Alexander
aquatint, early 19th century
NPG D16591

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