Gowin Knight
Encyclopedia
Gowin Knight FRS was an English
physicist
who, in 1745, discovered a process for creating strongly magnetized steel
. He also served as the first principal librarian of the British Museum
.
, a small civil parish
in Lincolnshire
. In 1745, Knight discovered a process for creating strongly magnetized steel
, which he used to develop a compass
needle able to function with greater precision. Gowin Knight was honoured in 1747 with the Copley Medal
in recognition of his achievements and, by 1752, his technologically-advanced compasses were adapted by the Royal Navy
, with renowned London
instrument craftsman, George Adams
, engaged in their manufacture.
In 1756, Gowin Knight received an appointment as the first principal librarian of the British Museum
. He died in London, three months before his 59th birthday.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
who, in 1745, discovered a process for creating strongly magnetized steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
. He also served as the first principal librarian of the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
.
Biography
Born in CorringhamCorringham, Lincolnshire
Corringham is civil parish within the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. It comprises the two contiguous villages of Great Corringham and Little Corringham and has a total resident population of 430...
, a small civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
. In 1745, Knight discovered a process for creating strongly magnetized steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
, which he used to develop a compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
needle able to function with greater precision. Gowin Knight was honoured in 1747 with the Copley Medal
Copley Medal
The Copley Medal is an award given by the Royal Society of London for "outstanding achievements in research in any branch of science, and alternates between the physical sciences and the biological sciences"...
in recognition of his achievements and, by 1752, his technologically-advanced compasses were adapted by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, with renowned London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
instrument craftsman, George Adams
George Adams (optician)
George Adams Sr was an English optical designer and scientific writer who was also well known as a maker of mathematical instruments and globes. Among his works are a Treatise on the Construction and Use of Globes and an "Essay on the Microscope" .-Biography:His son, George Adams Jr...
, engaged in their manufacture.
In 1756, Gowin Knight received an appointment as the first principal librarian of the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
. He died in London, three months before his 59th birthday.