Collection: Sir Humphry Davy letter to a friend

Scope and content

One page autographed letter signed H. Davy and dated 29 September 1808. The letter discusses experiments with vacuum pressure in relation to sulfur, phosphorus and vapors of mercury.

Dates

Creation: September 29, 1808

Creator

Davy, Humphry, Sir, 1778-1829 (creator., Person)

Language of Materials

Text in English.

Biographical sketch

Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) was a leading scientist of his day and an early experimenter in the area of gases. He was a member of the Pneumatic Institution of Bristol and the Royal Institution. He later became a Fellow of the Royal Society and was a friend of the some the leading scientific and literary figures of his day. The young Michael Faraday was his laboratory assistant.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 page; 1 letter)

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Kohnstamm, Paul. Method of acquisition--gift ;; Date of acquisition--2005..

General Note

This document is a one page double-sided handwritten letter in which Davy discusses his experimental work with an unknown friend. Davy makes brief mention of his work with Sulphur, Phosphorus & the Metals and thanks his friend for the gift of some recently shot birds.