Davies Gilbert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Davies Gilbert
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| Born |
Davies Giddy
6 March 1767 |
| Died | 24 December 1839 (aged 72) Eastbourne, Sussex, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Ann Gilbert |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Engineering |
| Institutions | Royal Society |
| 24th President of the Royal Society | |
| In office 1827–1830 |
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| Preceded by | Humphry Davy |
| Succeeded by | Prince Augustus Frederick |
Davies Gilbert (born Davies Giddy, 6 March 1767 – 24 December 1839) was an important British engineer, writer, and politician from Cornwall, England. He was a member of the Royal Society, a famous group of scientists, and even served as their President from 1827 to 1830. He changed his last name to Gilbert in 1817.
Contents
Davies Gilbert's Early Life and Education
Davies Giddy was born on March 6, 1767, in St Erth, Cornwall. His father, Reverend Edward Giddy, was a church leader. Davies was the second of three children.
His family moved to Penzance for a while before returning to St Erth. Davies was taught at home by his father. He also studied with Rev Malachy Hitchins, a mathematician who studied stars.
Learning at Bristol and Oxford
When Davies was 17, he went to a special math school in Bristol. He stayed there for three years. Later, in 1786, he went to Pembroke College, Oxford University. He earned his master's degree there in 1789.
Davies Gilbert's Career and Contributions
Davies Gilbert had a varied career. He was a politician, a scientist, and a historian. He was known for believing that science could solve real-world problems.
Serving in Government
From 1792 to 1793, Davies was the High Sheriff of Cornwall. This was an important local role. He also served in the House of Commons, which is part of the British Parliament. He was a Member of Parliament for Helston from 1804 to 1806. Then he represented Bodmin from 1806 to 1832.
Supporting Science and Innovation
Davies Gilbert was a close friend of Dr. Thomas Beddoes, a physician. He encouraged a young scientist named Humphry Davy. Davies convinced Dr. Beddoes that Davy was very talented. Davy later became a famous chemist.
Gilbert's math skills were very helpful to early engineers. He worked with pioneers like Richard Trevithick, who invented steam engines, and Thomas Telford, a famous civil engineer.
Interest in Cornish History
Davies Gilbert also loved the history and culture of Cornwall. He collected old Cornish items. For example, he moved an ancient Celtic cross from Cornwall to Eastbourne, where he lived later in life. He wanted to show people there something unique from his home county.
He also put together and published a book called A Parochial History of Cornwall. He collected and shared many traditional Cornish Carols. He even helped publish an old Cornish language poem called Passyon agan Arluth (meaning "The Passion of our Lord") in 1826.
Leadership in Scientific Societies
Davies Gilbert was a respected member of several important groups. He was elected to the Society of Antiquaries in 1820. This group studies history and old objects.
He was also the President of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall. He led this group from when it started in 1814 until he passed away. In 1832, he became an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Davies Gilbert's Family Life
On April 18, 1808, Davies Giddy married Mary Ann Gilbert. In 1816, he decided to take his wife's last name, Gilbert. This was done so that they could inherit a lot of land and property in Sussex from Mary Ann's uncle, who had no sons.
Davies and Mary Ann had four children who lived to adulthood: three daughters and one son. Their son, John Davies Gilbert, also became a member of the Royal Society. Their eldest daughter, Catherine, married John Samuel Enys. She was the mother of John Enys, a famous naturalist from New Zealand.
Davies Gilbert passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1839, in Eastbourne, Sussex.
See also
