Henry Moyes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Moyes
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Henry Moyes. Mezzotint by W. Ward, 1806, after J. R. Smith
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| Born | 1750 |
| Died | 1807 |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | lecturer on natural philosophy |
Henry Moyes (born 1750 – died 1807) was a Scottish lecturer. He was blind but became famous for teaching about natural philosophy, which included science topics like physics and chemistry. He helped many people in the 1700s learn about new scientific ideas.
Early Life and Education
Henry Moyes was born in 1750 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. When he was only three years old, he lost his eyesight because of a disease called smallpox. Even though he was blind, Henry was very smart and loved to learn.
When he was 16, a famous thinker named Adam Smith met Henry in Kirkcaldy. Adam Smith was writing his important book, The Wealth of Nations, at the time. Smith was very impressed by Henry's intelligence.
Adam Smith helped Henry get a good education. He even got help from other famous thinkers like David Hume and Thomas Reid. This support allowed Henry to study and develop his talents.
A Traveling Scientist
Henry Moyes became a popular public speaker. He traveled around, giving lectures on science topics like chemistry. He helped people in the 18th century get excited about these new fields of study.
Moyes often met with important scientists and engineers of his time. He even attended meetings of the Lunar Society. This was a group of famous thinkers who met to discuss science and new inventions.
One famous scientist, Joseph Priestley, called Moyes an excellent lecturer in philosophy. This shows how good Henry was at explaining complex ideas.
Because he was blind, Henry needed help with his science demonstrations. His nephew, William Nicol, often helped him. William Nicol later became a notable scientist himself.
Lectures and Tours
From 1778, Henry Moyes gave many lectures in Edinburgh, Scotland. He used a building that was once a theater for his talks.
Between 1784 and 1786, Henry Moyes traveled to the United States. He gave many successful lectures in cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Charleston, South Carolina. People there really enjoyed his talks.
In 1785, he was chosen as a special member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This was a big honor for him. After his tour, he settled in Manchester, England. He also traveled to Ireland to give more lectures.
