John Frederic Daniell

Biography

Daniell was born in London. In 1831, he became the first professor of chemistry at the newly founded King's College London; and in 1835, he was appointed to the equivalent post at the East India Company's Military Seminary at Addiscombe, Surrey. His name is best known for his invention of the Daniell cell, an element of an electric battery much better than voltaic cells. He also invented the dew-point hygrometer known by his name, and a register pyrometer; and in 1830, he erected in the hall of the Royal Society a water-barometer, with which he carried out a large number of observations. A process devised by him for the manufacture of illuminating gas from turpentine and resin was in use in New York City for a time.

In 1842, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Civil Law by the University of Oxford.