Blog Video What's on Education Families Christmas Lectures Our history About Join and support About → Heritage and Collections → Heritage Projects → Davy Letters → The Davy Letters Project A team of Davy scholars, including the Ri's Prof Frank James are working to edit the first ever edition of the Collected Letters of Humphry Davy and his Circle. Sir Humphry Davy (1778–1829) by Archer James Oliver c.1810, Oil on canvas, 231.2 x 141 cm The Davy Letters project website, funded by the British Academy, the Wellcome Trust, the British Society for the History of Science, and the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry, went live in February 2011. The website is the first stage in the publication of the first ever edition of the Collected Letters of Humphry Davy and his Circle, edited by a team of Davy scholars. The team comprises Tim Fulford (De Montfort University), Jan Golinski (University of New Hampshire), Frank James (Royal Institution and UCL), David Knight (Durham University), Andrew Lacey (Lancaster University), and Sharon Ruston (Lancaster University). These letters, over 200 of which are held in the Royal Institution archives, document Davy's work on electrochemistry and electromagnetism, mineralogy and geology, and his collaborations with other chemists such as J. G. Children and W. H. Pepys. They illuminate the controversy that initially followed his identification of chlorine as an element and his experiments on fluorine and iodine. The experimental work leading to development of the safety lamp and the subsequent dispute concerning credit for that invention are also covered. The Collected Davy and his Circle Letters edition promises to reveal much about Davy himself, his wife and brother, and the milieu in which they lived. Find out more about Sir Humphry Davy Related links Davy letters Share this Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Related content Humphry Davy (1778-1829) Find out more Heritage: Conservation projects Find out more Catalogues: personal collections Find out more Ri People - Biographies Find out more Learn Masterclasses L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre Events for the whole family Science in schools shows Interactive games CHRISTMAS LECTURES Visit News What's on Food & drink The Faraday Museum Heritage tours Visiting the archive Find us Support Donate to the Ri Become an Ri Member Become an Ri Patron Corporate support Jobs Keep in touch Keep up to date with regular emails from the Ri Subscribe now Go © Royal Institution Facebook Twitter Youtube Tumbler Instagram Venue Hire Press Terms and conditions Privacy Policy Accessibility Contact Us