HUMPHRY DAVY (1778–1829)

Sir Humphry Davy was one of the most influential scientists of the early nineteenth century. Of his political beliefs Davy left the following statement: ‘The unequal division of property and labour. the differences of rank and condition among mankind, are the sources of power in civilised life, its moving causes, and even its very soul.’

‘London’ (1814), from Memoirs of the Life of Sir Humphry Davy, ed. John Davy (1836)

Such art thou! mighty in thy power and pride:
No city of the earth with thee can vie;
Along thy streets still flows the unceasing tide
Of busy thousands. E’en thy misty sky
Breathes life and motion, and the subject waves,
That wash thy lofty arches, bear the wings
Of earthly commerce, where the winds, thy slaves,
Speed the rich tribute to the ocean kings.