Davy suffered from recurring health problems throughout his life, but they became more frequent and severe in the 1820s. He experienced respiratory ailments, heart problems, and neurological symptoms. The precise nature of his illness is uncertain, but it may have been related to his exposure to various chemicals during his experiments.

Due to his declining health, Davy resigned from the presidency of the Royal Society in 1827. He was no longer able to fulfill the duties of the position effectively.

Davy traveled to various locations in Europe in search of medical treatment. He visited Italy, Switzerland, and other countries, hoping to find relief from his symptoms. He wrote extensively during this period, about fly fishing and outdoor pursuits.

Humphry Davy died in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 29, 1829, at the age of 50. He was buried in the Plainpalais Cemetery in Geneva. The cause of death was likely related to his chronic health problems, possibly complicated by a stroke.

Davy's contributions to science were widely recognized and celebrated after his death. His discoveries in electrochemistry, his invention of the Davy lamp, and his popular lectures at the Royal Institution had a lasting impact on the development of science and technology.