John Davies (lecturer)
Encyclopedia
John Davies or Davis was an English
scientist
in Victorian
Manchester
. He was a lecturer
and private tutor who played an important role in the administration of some of the city's learned societies.
in 1816 and served as its librarian
from 1819 to 1827, and as secretary in the 1840s. He also lectured on chemistry
at the Society.
In the 1820s, he advertised himself as a "Private Teacher of Mathematics, Chemistry and Natural Philosophy" and his most famous student was the young James Prescott Joule
who studied chemistry and medicine
with Davies.
In 1824, Davies was a member of the executive committee charged with establishing the Manchester Mechanics' Institute and Davies managed the Institute's laboratories until the late 1840s, serving as vice-chairman and vice-president under Sir Benjamin Heywood
. Davies lectured on chemistry at the Institute in 1828, 1832 and 1847. Davies lectured at the Pine Street Medical School and was a promoter of the earliest, unsuccessful, attempt to found a university
in Manchester in 1836.
In 1839, Davies was one of the promoters of the Royal Victoria Gallery for the Encouragement of Practical Science
and Davies formed a close social circle with its superintendent William Sturgeon
and with Joule. The circle expanded to include Edward William Binney
and John Leigh.
The British Association for the Advancement of Science
was to hold its annual meeting in Manchester in 1842 and a public meeting on the city's environmental problems was held at the Royal Victoria Gallery in May. Davies was one of a committee called upon to bring the issue before the Association and he gave a paper at the British Associaion meeting.He died at the age of 44
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...
scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
in Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. He was a lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
and private tutor who played an important role in the administration of some of the city's learned societies.
Career
Little is known about Davies. He was elected to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical SocietyManchester Literary and Philosophical Society
The Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, popularly known as the Lit & Phil, is a learned society in Manchester, England.Established in 1781 as the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester, by Thomas Percival, Thomas Barnes and Thomas Henry, other prominent members have included...
in 1816 and served as its librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
from 1819 to 1827, and as secretary in the 1840s. He also lectured on chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
at the Society.
In the 1820s, he advertised himself as a "Private Teacher of Mathematics, Chemistry and Natural Philosophy" and his most famous student was the young James Prescott Joule
James Prescott Joule
James Prescott Joule FRS was an English physicist and brewer, born in Salford, Lancashire. Joule studied the nature of heat, and discovered its relationship to mechanical work . This led to the theory of conservation of energy, which led to the development of the first law of thermodynamics. The...
who studied chemistry and medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
with Davies.
In 1824, Davies was a member of the executive committee charged with establishing the Manchester Mechanics' Institute and Davies managed the Institute's laboratories until the late 1840s, serving as vice-chairman and vice-president under Sir Benjamin Heywood
Benjamin Heywood
Sir Benjamin Heywood, 1st Baronet FRS was an English banker and philanthropist.Born in St Ann's Square, Manchester, grandson of Thomas Percival, son of Nathaniel Heywood and Ann Percival, and brother to Thomas Heywood and James Heywood...
. Davies lectured on chemistry at the Institute in 1828, 1832 and 1847. Davies lectured at the Pine Street Medical School and was a promoter of the earliest, unsuccessful, attempt to found a university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
in Manchester in 1836.
In 1839, Davies was one of the promoters of the Royal Victoria Gallery for the Encouragement of Practical Science
Royal Victoria Gallery for the Encouragement of Practical Science
The Royal Victoria Gallery for the Encouragement of Practical Science was an adult education institution and exhibition gallery in Victorian Manchester, a commercial enterprise intended to educate the general public about science and its industrial applications....
and Davies formed a close social circle with its superintendent William Sturgeon
William Sturgeon
William Sturgeon was an English physicist and inventor who made the first electromagnets, and invented the first practical English electric motor.-Early Life :...
and with Joule. The circle expanded to include Edward William Binney
Edward William Binney
Edward William Binney FRS was an English geologist.Edward William Binney was born at Morton, in Nottinghamshire in 1812, and educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Gainsborough. He was articled to a solicitor in Chesterfield, and in 1836 settled at Manchester...
and John Leigh.
The British Association for the Advancement of Science
British Association for the Advancement of Science
frame|right|"The BA" logoThe British Association for the Advancement of Science or the British Science Association, formerly known as the BA, is a learned society with the object of promoting science, directing general attention to scientific matters, and facilitating interaction between...
was to hold its annual meeting in Manchester in 1842 and a public meeting on the city's environmental problems was held at the Royal Victoria Gallery in May. Davies was one of a committee called upon to bring the issue before the Association and he gave a paper at the British Associaion meeting.He died at the age of 44