Sir Humphry Davy

Davy, Sir Humphry (1778–1829), English chemist who pioneered the study of electrochemistry. Electrolytic methods allowed him to isolate the elements sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, boron, and barium (1807–8). He recognized the elemental nature of and named chlorine (1810). His early work on nitrous oxide was done at Bristol under Thomas Beddoes, but his later career centered on the Royal Institution, where he was assisted by Michael Faraday. He also invented a miner's safety lamp, known as the Davy lamp.

See also: Electrochemistry.