Person Cavendish; Henry (1731 - 1810); natural philosopher Cavendish Henry natural philosopher 1731 - 1810 British Male Nice, Kingdom of Sardinia, Europe 10 October 1731 17311010 London, England, Europe 24 February 1810 18100224 Burial: All Saints' Church [Derby Cathedral], Derby, England, Europe (12 March 1810)

13 Great Marlborough Street; Clapham Common, London, England

Chemistry Physics 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) 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) 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. 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" Fellow 01/05/1760 29 Henry Willoughby; Macclesfield; James Bradley; Daniel Wray; William Heberden; Thomas Birch; Thomas Wilbraham; John Hadley; Samuel Squire;William Watson Copley Medal 1766 Royal Society Dining Club (1760) 1765 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. Cavendish H, IM000772.jpg ©The Royal Society International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?AllField=cavendish&startPage=&ContribRaw=Cavendish%2C%20Henry RCN 32611 RCN 31973 RCN 32612 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH1606 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-9703 10 Oct 1731 - 24 Feb or 10 Mar 1810 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 22/11/2023 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA8163 21/11/2001 Andyg pmab 17/03/2026 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes 67259523 e0319404-2011-4103-b40d-fa9f73131695