Humphry Davy was born in Penzance, Cornwall, to Robert Davy, a woodcarver, and Grace Millett. His humble beginnings in a coastal town steeped in mining tradition would later profoundly influence his career, particularly his work on miner's safety.

At the age of 17, Davy was apprenticed to a surgeon-apothecary, John Bingham Borlase, in Penzance. While ostensibly learning medicine, this apprenticeship provided him with access to a rudimentary laboratory and the freedom to pursue his growing fascination with chemistry, conducting experiments and devouring scientific literature.

Davy's burgeoning reputation led to his appointment as Superintendent of the Pneumatic Institution in Bristol. This institution, founded by Thomas Beddoes, focused on the medical applications of gases. Here, Davy conducted pioneering (and often self-experimenting) research into the physiological effects of various gases, including nitrous oxide, which he famously nicknamed "laughing gas".

Davy's compelling lectures and innovative experiments earned him a prestigious position as a lecturer at the Royal Institution in London. His charismatic style and dramatic demonstrations quickly made him a popular figure, attracting large crowds and solidifying his status as a leading scientist.

Davy revolutionized chemistry through the use of electrolysis. By passing electric currents through molten compounds, he isolated several new elements, including potassium, sodium, calcium, strontium, barium, magnesium, and boron. This groundbreaking work demonstrated the power of electrochemistry as a tool for scientific discovery.

Davy's scientific achievements were recognized with a knighthood. In the same year, he married Jane Apreece, a wealthy widow and socialite. While the marriage brought him financial security and social standing, it was reportedly not a particularly happy one.

Motivated by the frequent explosions in coal mines caused by flammable methane gas (firedamp), Davy designed the Davy lamp. This ingenious invention enclosed the flame within a wire gauze cage, preventing the heat of the flame from igniting the surrounding gas. The Davy lamp significantly reduced mine explosions and saved countless lives, cementing Davy's legacy as a practical scientist and humanitarian.

Davy was elected President of the Royal Society, the most prestigious scientific organization in Britain. This appointment marked the pinnacle of his career, recognizing his immense contributions to science and his leadership within the scientific community. However, his tenure was marked by controversies, particularly involving his relationship with Michael Faraday.

After years of declining health, possibly due to exposure to toxic chemicals during his experiments, Humphry Davy died in Geneva, Switzerland, at the age of 50. His scientific legacy endured, inspiring future generations of scientists and continuing to impact fields ranging from chemistry to mining safety. He was buried in the Plainpalais Cemetery in Geneva.