Humphry Davy died in Geneva, Switzerland, at the age of 50. His death marked the end of a distinguished career in chemistry and invention. He had been struggling with declining health and suffered multiple strokes prior to his death.
Humphry Davy was elected as the President of the Royal Society. He was unopposed, although other candidates received initial backing. This marked a significant achievement in his career and a transition in the Royal Society's role.
Humphry Davy wrote to John Children about an accident involving nitrogen trichloride. He cautioned about its dangers and mentioned being severely wounded by a small piece, but assured that his sight would not be injured. This marks a dangerous incident in his laboratory work that led him to hire Michael Faraday as an assistant.
Humphry Davy reported to the Royal Society that he had successfully isolated four new metals: barium, calcium, strontium and magnium (later changed to magnesium).
Humphry Davy gave his first lecture at the Royal Institution on Galvanism. The lecture was well received and outlined a vision of civilization progressing through scientific discovery.
Humphry Davy left Bristol to assume his new position at the Royal Institution in London. He was appointed as assistant lecturer in chemistry, director of the chemical laboratory, and assistant editor of the journals of the institution, receiving a salary of 100l. per annum.
Humphry Davy wrote to Davies Giddy about the offers made by Joseph Banks and Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford) regarding a possible move to London and funding for his galvanism work. He also mentioned the potential end of his collaboration with Beddoes on therapeutic gases, signifying a pivotal moment in his career path.
The second edition of William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Lyrical Ballads" was published, though dated 1800. Coleridge had asked Davy to proofread the sheets, but the edition contained many errors, including the poem "Michael" being left incomplete.
Humphry Davy's first meeting with William Godwin is recorded in Godwin's diary, marking the start of their acquaintance. This meeting expanded Davy's circle of friends and introduced him to Godwin's intellectual and social circles.
Humphry Davy wrote to Davies Giddy about a discovery related to nitrous oxide. He determined that pure gaseous oxide of azote (laughing gas) is perfectly respirable and only becomes deleterious when it contains nitrous gas. He also developed a method for producing it in a pure form. This reveals a significant step in his exploration of gases and their physiological effects.
Humphry Davy wrote to Davies Giddy, stating his conviction of the non-existence of caloric as firmly as he believed in the existence of light. This statement reflects his early scientific investigations and theoretical stances.
Humphry Davy was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England. He was the eldest of five children born to Robert Davy, a woodcarver, and Grace Millett. This date marks the beginning of the life of a prominent British chemist and inventor.
