John Frederic Daniell FRS (12 March 1790 – 13 March 1845) was an English chemist and physicist.
John Frederic Daniell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 12 March 1790 |
| Died | 13 March 1845 (aged 55) |
| Nationality | English |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford (Doctor of Civil Law, 1842) |
| Awards | Rumford Medal (1832) Copley Medal (1837) Royal Medal (1842) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemistry Physics |
| Institutions | King's College London |
Biography edit
Daniell was born in London. In 1831 he became the first professor of chemistry at the newly founded King's College London; and in 1835 he was appointed to the equivalent post at the East India Company's Military Seminary at Addiscombe, Surrey.[1] His name is best known for his invention of the Daniell cell,[2] an element of an electric battery much better than voltaic cells. He also invented the dew-point hygrometer known by his name,[3] and a register pyrometer;[4] and in 1830 he erected in the hall of the Royal Society a water-barometer, with which he carried out a large number of observations.[5] A process devised by him for the manufacture of illuminating gas from turpentine and resin was in use in New York City for a time.[citation needed]
In 1842 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Civil Law by the University of Oxford.[1]
Publications edit
Daniell's publications included Meteorological Essays (1823), an Essay on Artificial Climate considered in its Applications to Horticulture (1824), which showed the necessity of a humid atmosphere in hothouses devoted to tropical plants, and an Introduction to the Study of Chemical Philosophy (1839).[citation needed]
Lectures edit
In 1840 he was invited to deliver the Royal Institution Christmas Lecture on The First Principles of Franklinic Electricity.[citation needed]
Death and commemoration edit
Daniell died suddenly of apoplexy in London in March 1845, while attending a meeting of the council of the Royal Society, of which he had become a fellow in 1813 and Foreign Secretary in 1839.[citation needed]
The lunar crater Daniell is named after him.[citation needed]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Vibart, H.M. (1894). Addiscombe: its heroes and men of note. Westminster: Archibald Constable. p. 133.
- ^ Philosophical Transactions, 1836.
- ^ Quarterly Journal of Science, 1820.
- ^ Philosophical Transactions, 1830.
- ^ Philosophical Transactions, 1832.
Bibliography edit
- Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1888). . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 14. London: Smith, Elder & Co. p. 33.
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Daniell, John Frederic". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 809.
