SIR HUMPHRY DAVY (1778-1829) did much to advance the great tradition of English chemistry. Inspired by Antoine Lavoisier's brilliant work in France, Davy experimented with gases and discovered the exhilarating effect and anesthetic qualities of "laughing gas" (nitrous oxide). His investigations also included the decomposition of alkalies by electricity, and the preparation of sodium, potassium, and calcium by electrolysis. Davy also identified the element chlorine; did research on iodine and the rare earths; and identified the diamond as carbon. In 1812, he hired Michael Faraday as his assistant—called by some Davy's "greatest discovery." Davy further invented the electric arc and the miner's safety lamp, and became President of the Royal Society in 1820. In this simply written biography, Dr. Elba O. Carrier brings this great English chemist alive for modern readers.

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