Edward William Brayley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward William Brayley
FRS
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| Born | 1801 London, England
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| Died | 1 February 1870 (aged 68–69) London, England
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| Occupation | Librarian, Geographer |
| Title | FRS (1 June 1854) |
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Edward William Brayley (born 1801, died 1870) was an English geographer, librarian, and writer about science. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), which is a big honor for scientists.
Contents
Edward Brayley's Early Life
Edward William Brayley was born in London in 1801. His father, Edward Wedlake Brayley, was a well-known person who studied old things and history. Edward had a quiet childhood with his brothers, Henry and Horatio. They were taught at home and didn't have much contact with other kids.
Later, Edward went to study at the London Institution and the Royal Institution. He learned from a famous teacher named William Thomas Brande.
Brayley's Interest in Science
Even though his father loved history, Edward became very interested in science. He wrote articles on many different science topics. These articles appeared in various scientific journals. He even worked as an editor for the Philosophical Magazine for many years, from 1823 to 1844.
In 1829 and 1830, Edward Brayley taught science at schools run by Rowland Hill. These schools were in places like Edgbaston, Birmingham, and Tottenham, London.
Brayley as a Librarian and Lecturer
In 1834, Edward Brayley became the librarian at the London Institution. This was a place where people could learn and study. Later, in 1865, he became a professor of physical geography there.
He gave many talks on different subjects at the London Institution. He also lectured at other important places, including the Royal Institution and the London Mechanics' Institute. Sometimes, he had to step in at the last minute if another speaker couldn't make it.
Topics of Brayley's Lectures
Edward Brayley's lectures covered a wide range of interesting topics:
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Brayley's Work as an Editor
Much of Edward Brayley's science work involved looking at and explaining the ideas of other scientists. He helped publish books and articles.
For example, he worked on a book called Chemical Catechism by Samuel Parkes in 1834. He also wrote many articles about science and famous people for the English Cyclopaedia.
Brayley was a close friend and helper to William Robert Grove. He worked with Grove on his important book, On the Correlation of Physical Forces (1846). This book was about the conservation of energy, which means energy can't be created or destroyed, only changed. Brayley also helped edit Barometrographia (1847) by Luke Howard.
Edward Brayley's Family Life
Edward Brayley got married on August 9, 1832. His wife was Judith May (1800–1869). She was the daughter of a portrait painter named Richard May. Judith had been married before, and her son, James Frederick Hodgetts, lived with them.
Edward tried to guide his step-son, James, into a science career. However, James wasn't very interested in science. He later joined the Indian Navy and became a professor of seamanship in Berlin and St. Petersburg.
Honors and Memberships
Edward William Brayley was recognized for his contributions to science. He was part of many important groups:
- He was a founder member of the Zoological Society, which studies animals.
- He was a founder member of the Chemical Society, which studies chemistry.
- He was a corresponding member of the Societas Naturae Scrutatorum in Basel, a science society.
- He was a member of the American Philosophical Society.
- He was a member of the London Electrical Society.
- He joined the British Meteorological Society in 1850, which studies weather.
- He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1854. This is one of the highest honors for scientists in the UK.
Things Named After Brayley
Two things were named in his honor:
- A lunar crater on the Moon is called Brayley.
- A type of Australian rainforest tree, Flindersia brayleyana, was named after him by Ferdinand von Mueller.
