Sir Humphry Davy, British Chemist (17 December 1778 - 29 May 1829). Engraving by Scriven 1833 after painting by Lawrence c. 1821. Often associated with the miner's lamp he invented to help prevent explosions underground, invention was only part of his contribution to science. He early realised the potential of Nitrous oxide to be an analgesic for operations (though the idea was not taken forward). He isolated many new elements including sodium, calcium, magnesium, boron and potassium using electrolysis. He named Chlorine an as element. He was also an important populariser of science giving dramatic, often dangerous, demonstrations for public audiences at the Royal Institution. Young and intense, he reportedly acquired a large female following. After near blinding with Nitrogen trichloride he hired Michael Faraday to help him. Faraday would go on to be an even more influential scientist.