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Constructing Humphry Davy's Biographical Image.

Frank A J L James1

  • 1a The Royal Institution and University College London , England.

Ambix
|May 30, 2019
PubMed
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This study examines early biographies of Humphry Davy, revealing how their publication constructed his reputation and shaped the collection of his historical documents for future scholarship.

Area of Science:

  • History of Science
  • Biography Studies

Background:

  • Early biographical accounts of Humphry Davy are understudied.
  • Three major biographies and one "anti-biography" were published shortly after Davy's death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the construction of Humphry Davy's biographical reputation.
  • To investigate the preservation of Davy's manuscripts and documents.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of early biographical works on Humphry Davy.
  • Examination of the publication processes of these biographies.

Main Results:

  • John Ayrton Paris (1831) published an "anti-biography."
  • John Davy published two admiring biographies (1836, 1858).

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  • These works influenced the collection and preservation of Davy's papers.

    • Conclusions:

    • Early biographies significantly shaped Humphry Davy's reputation.
    • The study of these biographies aids understanding of Davy scholarship and manuscript curation.