| Authorised form of name | Cavendish; Henry (1731 - 1810); natural philosopher |
| Dates | 1731 - 1810 |
| Nationality | British |
| Place of birth | Nice, Kingdom of Sardinia, Europe |
| Date of birth | 10 October 1731 |
| Place of death | London, England, Europe |
| Date of death | 24 February 1810 |
| Dates and places | Burial:
All Saints' Church [Derby Cathedral], Derby (12 March 1810) |
| Research field | Chemistry |
| Physics |
| Activity | Education:
School at Hackney Academy (1742); Peterhouse, Cambridge (admitted 1749, resided until 1753, did not obtain degree)
Career:
Discovered the extreme lightness of inflammatory air (hydrogen) and later ascertained that water is composed of two gases; experimented on electricity and the density of the earth; Sir Everard Home (FRS 1787) was called to see him shortly before he died; left a fortune of over £1million
Memberships:
FSA (1773)
Trustee of the British Museum (1773) |
| Membership category | Fellow |
| Date of election | 01/05/1760 |
| Age at election | 29 |
| Proposer | Henry Willoughby; Macclesfield; James Bradley; Daniel Wray; William Heberden; Thomas Birch; Thomas Wilbraham; John Hadley; Samuel Squire;William Watson |
| Royal Society activity | He first attended the Royal Society in June 1758, at his father's invitation.
Cavendish actively participated in the Royal Society's 1769 Venus transit observation plans to determine solar parallax. He contributed to the committee's efforts to correct errors and discussed with astronomer royal Nevil Maskelyne (FRS 1758) the gravitational impact of nearby mountains on vertical plumb lines. Cavendish, aiming for precise central force estimation, concluded that gravitational pull, not meridional degrees, was a better guide to understanding the earth's shape.
Committees:
The committee of papers
The observation of the transit of Venus in 1769
The committee ‘to consider of a method for securing the powder magazine at Purfleet’ (1772)
The committee overseeing the experiments on the attraction of mountains by Maskelyne (1774)
The committee overseeing the planning on CJ Phipps’ voyage to investigate the existence of a Northwest Passage (1773)
Committee for the move of the Royal Society from Crane Court to Somerset House, and the associated movement of instruments (1780)
Committees concerning the state of instruments at the Royal Society and the Royal Observatory
Medals and prizes:
Copley Medal 1766 "For his Paper communicated this present year, containing his Experiments relating to Fixed Air" |
| Relationships | Parents: Lord Charles Cavendish (FRS 1727) and his wife, Lady Anne Grey, daughter of Henry Duke of Kent
Grandfather: Lord James Cavendish (FRS 1719);
Great-grandfather: William 1st Duke of Devonshire (FRS 1663)
Uncle: William 3rd Duke of Devonshire (FRS 1747)
Cousin:William 4th Duke (FRS 1761) |
| Published works | RCN 32611
RCN 31973
RCN 32612 |
| General context | Made significant contributions to various scientific fields between 1764 and 1810. In the 1760s, he focused on chemical analysis, experimenting with arsenic compounds and heat. His work on specific heats, fermentation, and combustion earned him the Copley Medal in 1766. Cavendish also delved into the study of "airs" or gases, identifying different chemical airs and their specific gravities.
In the late 1760s and early 1770s, Cavendish explored electricity, rejecting Benjamin Franklin's model and developing his own theory of an electrical fluid. His meticulous experiments included measuring electrical forces, condensation, and conduction. During this period, he also engaged in studying animal electricity, particularly the electric behavior of marine animals. From 1771 to 1781, Cavendish extended his interests to atmospheric electricity and planetary mechanics. He collaborated on astronomical surveying, estimating the Earth's mean density and participating in Venus transit observations. His involvement in global science included networks with astronomers, instrument makers, and navigators. In the 1780s, Cavendish shifted focus to chemical investigations, refining eudiometry techniques and contributing to the understanding of the composition of the atmosphere. He engaged in debates about the nature of heat, responding to challenges from contemporaries like James Watt and Richard Kirwan.
During his later years, Cavendish continued his involvement in astronomy, geodesy, and physics. He played a crucial role in the Royal Society's activities and advised on technical matters. His experiments on the density of the Earth, conducted in 1797, showcased his commitment to precision. |
| Related images | Discover a selection of related images in our picture library |
| Image | 
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| Sources | Sources:
Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB; Venn
References:
J S Rowlinson, 'Aristocratic Physics', review of Christa Jungnickel and Russell McCormmach, Cavendish in NR 1998 vol 52 pp 194-196
Stephen F Mason, 'Jean Hyacinthe de Magellan, FRS, and the Chemical Revolution of the Eighteenth Century' in NR 1991 vol 45 pp 155-164
Jennifer S Pugh and John Hudson, 'The Chemical Work of James Watt, FRS' in NR 1985-86 vol 40 pp 41-52
Trevor H Levere, 'Friendship and Influence: Martinus van Marum, FRS' in NR 1970 vol 25 pp 113-120
Sir John Craig, 'The Royal Society and the Royal Mint' in NR 1964 vol 19 pp 156-167
N G Coley, 'George Pearson MD, FRS (1751-1828): 'The greatest chemist in England'? in NR 2003 vol 57 pp
W P Griffith and P J T Morris, 'Charles Hatchett FRS (1765 - 1847), chemist and discoverer of niobium' in NR 2003 vol 57 pp 299 - 316
161-175
F Seltz, 'Henry Cavendish: the catalyst for the chemical revolution' in NR 2005 vol 59 pp 175-199
T Quinn, 'Experiments of Henry Cavendish' in NR 2005 vol 59 pp 215-218
Notes:
Lord Burlington cited as source of place of birth in DNB. |
| Virtual International Authority File | 67259523 |
| Royal Society code | NA8163 |
| Reference number | Title | Date |
| EC/1760/05 | Cavendish, Henry: certificate of election to the Royal Society | |
| CB/2/703 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 5 October 1790 |
| CB/2/695 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | August 1789 |
| CB/2/626 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 12 March 1792 |
| CB/2/627 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 12 March 1792 |
| CB/2/696 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 26 March 1790 |
| MM/4/84 | Letter from Henry Cavendish, William Watson, Benjamin Franklin and J Robertson, to the Royal Society | 18 November 1773 |
| CB/2/525 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 8 June 1791 |
| MM/10/19 | Letter from James Clerk Maxwell, Cambridge, to RH Scott | c.1879 |
| MM/10/18 | Copy of letter from RH Scott to James Clerk Maxwell | 9 June 1879 |
| MM/11/41 | Notes from the minutes of meetings of the Purfleet Magazine Committee | 1772 |
| IM/003084 | Michell, John | 2001 |
| CB/1/3/27 | Letter from Henry Cavendish to Charles Blagden | nd |
| CB/2/274 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 9 July 1789 |
| CB/2/320 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 12 March 1790 |
| L&P/9/159 | Paper, 'On the height of the luminous arch which was seen on the 23 February 1784' by Henry Cavendish | 1789 |
| CB/1/1/254 | Letter from John William Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough to Charles Blagden | 7 March [1810] |
| CB/1/3/25 | Letter from Henry Cavendish, Bedford Square to Charles Blagden | 10 September [c1800] |
| CB/1/3/28 | Letter from Henry Cavendish to Charles Blagden, 45 Rathbone Place, Oxford Street | nd |
| CB/1/3/30 | Letter from Henry Cavendish, Clapham to Charles Blagden | nd |
| CB/1/3/26 | Letter from Henry Cavendish to Charles Blagden | nd |
| CB/1/3/32 | Letter from Henry Cavendish to Charles Blagden | nd |
| CB/1/3/31 | Letter from Henry Cavendish to Charles Blagden | nd |
| CB/2/581 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 7 November 1791 |
| CB/1/2/11 | Draft of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish, Bedford Square | 16 September 1789 |
| CB/1/3/29 | Letter from Henry Cavendish, Clapham to Charles Blagden, Upper Berkeley Street | nd |
| CB/2/482 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 27 November 1790 |
| CB/2/550 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 27 July 1791 |
| CB/2/623 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 27 February 1792 |
| CB/2/314 | Copy of a letter from Charles Blagden to Henry Cavendish | 16 September 1789 |
| IM/000772 | Cavendish, Henry | nd |
| L&P/8/64 | Paper, 'Answer to Mr Cavendish's reply' by Richard Kirwan | 1784 |
| L&P/11/7 | Letter, 'Official report on the lightning conductors at Purfleet' from Henry Cavendish and Charles Blagden to Joseph Banks | 23 June 1796 |
| L&P/4/343 | Paper, 'Experiments on factitious air, part III' by Henry Cavendish | 1766 |
| L&P/11/68 | Paper, 'Experiments to determine the density of the earth' by Henry Cavendish | 1798 |
| L&P/8/151/2 | Plate, 'Experiment apparatus' by Henry Cavendish | 1785 |
| L&P/11/68/2 | Plate, 'Experimental apparatus' by Henry Cavendish | 1798 |
| L&P/8/151 | Paper, 'Experiments on air' by Henry Cavendish | 1785 |
| L&P/4/369 | Paper, 'Experiments on Rathbone-place water' by Henry Cavendish | 11 December 1766 |
| L&P/4/341 | Paper, 'Experiments on factitious air, part II' by Henry Cavendish | 1766 |
| L&P/5/264 | Paper, 'An attempt to explain some of the principal phenomena of electricity by means of an elastic sluid' by Henry Cavendish | 1771 |
| L&P/8/151/3 | Plate, 'Experimental apparatus' by Henry Cavendish | 1785 |
| L&P/5/129 | Letter, 'The solubility of iron in simple water by the intervention of fixed air' from Timothy Lane to Henry Cavendish | 5 June 1769 |
| L&P/6/152 | Paper, 'Some attempts to imitate the effects of the torpedo by electricity' by Henry Cavendish | 1775 |
| L&P/8/18/1 | Paper, 'Account of the new eudiometry' by Henry Cavendish | 1782 |
| L&P/6/97 | Plates, 'Illustrations for the paper on imitating the effects of the Torpedo by means of electricity' by Henry Cavendish | 1775 |
| L&P/8/151/1 | Paper, 'Experiments on air' by Henry Cavendish | 1785 |
| L&P/6/157 | Paper, 'An account of the meteorological and magnetic instruments belonging to the Royal Society' by Henry Cavendish | 1776 |
| L&P/7/92a | Addendum, 'An account of the meteorological instruments used at the Royal Society's house' by Henry Cavendish | 1779 |
| L&P/8/18/3 | Plate, 'New eudiometry' by Henry Cavendish | 1782 |
| L&P/8/18/2 | Plate, 'New eudiometry' by Henry Cavendish | 1782 |
| L&P/11/68/3 | Plate, 'Experimental apparatus' by Henry Cavendish | 1798 |
| L&P/8/18 | Paper, 'Account of the new eudiometry' by Henry Cavendish | 1782 |
| L&P/8/177 | Paper, 'An account of Mr McNab's experiments on freezing mixtures' by Henry Cavendish | 1786 |
| L&P/9/84 | Paper, 'On the conversion of a mixture of dephlogistocated and phlogisticated air into nitrous acid, by the electric spark' by Henry Cavendish | 1788 |
| L&P/9/134 | Letter, 'Experiment on the congelation of quicksilver in England' from Richard Walker to Henry Cavendish | 1789 |
| L&P/8/29 | Paper, 'On Mr Hutchin's experiments for determining the degree of cold' by Henry Cavendish | 1783 |
| L&P/11/68/1 | Paper, 'Experiments to determine the density of the earth' by Henry Cavendish | 1798 |
| L&P/8/60 | Paper, 'Answer to the objections of Mr Kirwan to his experiments on air' by Henry Cavendish | 1783 |
| MM/10/17 | Letter from George Gabriel Stokes, Cambridge, to RH Scott | 8 June 1879 |
| MM/16/124 | Letter from WS Harris, Plymouth, to Sir John Herschel | 26 November 1851 |
| MM/16/125 | 'Abstract of papers by the Hon H Cavendish', by WS Harris | 1851 |
| DM/4/116 | Copy of letter from Sir Joseph Banks | 18 March 1796 |
| L&P/8/48/1 | Letter, 'On a means of discovering the distance of the fixed stars in consequence of a diminution in the velocity of their light' from John Michell to Henry Cavendish | 26 May 1783 |
| PT/3/14 | Paper, 'On an improvement in the manner of dividing astronomical instruments' by Henry Cavendish | [1809] |
| L&P/4/334 | Paper, 'Experiments on factitious air' by Henry Cavendish | 1766 |
| L&P/9/96 | Paper, 'On the production of artifical cold' from Richard Walker to Henry Cavendish | 27 March 1788 |
| L&P/6/257 | Paper, 'Report on the graduation of thermometers' by the Royal Society Commitee | 1777 |
| AP/28/25 | Unpublished paper, 'On phlogiston and the decomposition of water' by W F [William Ford] Stevenson | 14 January 1846 |
| AP/32/18 | Unpublished paper, 'Water and its supposed constituents' by William Ford Stevenson | 19 March 1850 |
| L&P/12/94 | Letter, 'Observations on a diurnal variation of the barometer between the tropics' from James Horsburgh to Henry Cavendish | 20 April 1805 |
| PP/14/21/1 | Manuscript, 'On the Cavendish experiment' by C V [Charles Vernon] Boys | 1889 |
| PP/14/21 | Paper, 'On the Cavendish experiment' by C V [Charles Vernon] Boys | 1889 |
| L&P/9/79 | Paper, 'An account of experiments made by Mr J McNab in Hudson's Bay, relative to the freezing of nitrous and vitriolic acids' by Henry Cavendish | 1788 |
| L&P/8/56 | Letter, 'Remarks on Henry Cavendish's experiments on air' from Richard Kirwan to Joseph Banks | 29 January 1784 |
| L&P/6/107 | Paper, 'Thermometrical observations at Allahabad [Prayagraj] and of the weather in Bengal; with note from Henry Cavendish' by Robert Barker | 1775 |
| L&P/10/21 | Paper, 'On the civil year of the Hindoos [sic]' by Henry Cavendish | 1792 |
| L&P/8/55 | Paper, 'Experiments on air' by Henry Cavendish | 1783 |