Abstract
Henry Cavendish was a man of extraordinary intelligence but had a crippling social anxiety condition that isolated him from most all human interaction. He was born into a family of English Dukes on both his father and mother’s side and later became one of the wealthiest people in England. He was well educated and attended the best English schools but did not hold any type of formal degree. After college, Henry began following his father’s scientific footsteps. Being a follower of Newtonian philosophy and Newtonian mechanics, he began conducting experiments in gases, electricity and gravity. In 1766, Henry won the Royal Society’s Copley Medal for factitious airs with Hydrogen being the most notable of his discovery. Several years later, Cavendish quantitatively measured the mass of the earth and completed Newton’s law of gravitation. Although he is credited with many scientific discoveries, Cavendish formally published only a few of his experiments. Most of his scientific work remained unknown until after his death in 1810. Through his personal manuscripts, breakthroughs in physics and chemistry were accomplished which are now the basis for today’s scientific research and development.
The Life of Henry Cavendish …show more content…
He was considered to be very anti-social and would not engage in personal conversations. He would not allow anyone to approach or look at him directly and he would only mumble comments about expressed opinions on a scientific theories or accomplishments. The only time he appeared somewhat comfortable was at Royal Society dinners and meetings with his colleagues in the scientific community.
Cavendish never sought or had female companionship. Apparently, women caused him great distress and he avoided them at all costs. It is not known why this behavior came about but some theorize it is attributed to the death of his mother at such a young age (Sol,
Henry Cavendish was a man of extraordinary intelligence but had a crippling social anxiety condition that isolated him from most all human interaction. He was born into a family of English Dukes on both his father and mother’s side and later became one of the wealthiest people in England. He was well educated and attended the best English schools but did not hold any type of formal degree. After college, Henry began following his father’s scientific footsteps. Being a follower of Newtonian philosophy and Newtonian mechanics, he began conducting experiments in gases, electricity and gravity. In 1766, Henry won the Royal Society’s Copley Medal for factitious airs with Hydrogen being the most notable of his discovery. Several years later, Cavendish quantitatively measured the mass of the earth and completed Newton’s law of gravitation. Although he is credited with many scientific discoveries, Cavendish formally published only a few of his experiments. Most of his scientific work remained unknown until after his death in 1810. Through his personal manuscripts, breakthroughs in physics and chemistry were accomplished which are now the basis for today’s scientific research and development.
The Life of Henry Cavendish …show more content…
He was considered to be very anti-social and would not engage in personal conversations. He would not allow anyone to approach or look at him directly and he would only mumble comments about expressed opinions on a scientific theories or accomplishments. The only time he appeared somewhat comfortable was at Royal Society dinners and meetings with his colleagues in the scientific community.
Cavendish never sought or had female companionship. Apparently, women caused him great distress and he avoided them at all costs. It is not known why this behavior came about but some theorize it is attributed to the death of his mother at such a young age (Sol,