Robert Dunkin facts for kids

Robert Dunkin (1761–1831) was a clever businessman from Penzance, Cornwall. He was a member of the Quaker faith. Robert Dunkin was a very important mentor to a young scientist named Humphry Davy. Davy later became famous as a founder of electrochemistry, which is the study of how electricity and chemistry work together. Dunkin helped Davy learn how to do science experiments.

Robert Dunkin's Life and Work

Robert Dunkin passed away in Penzance on August 10, 1831, at the age of 70. A newspaper called The West Briton wrote about him. It said he was a very respected man and a Quaker.

He started his career as a saddler, making and fixing saddles for horses. But he was also a skilled maker of mathematical instruments. He made important improvements to tools like barometers and thermometers. These tools measure air pressure and temperature.

Robert Dunkin was also good at math and knew a lot about natural science. He was especially skilled in understanding electricity and magnetism. People who knew him respected him because he was kind and humble.

Robert Dunkin's Family Life

Robert Dunkin was born in Penzance. His parents were Robert and Anna Dunkin. He was baptized on July 14, 1761.

On January 20, 1786, Robert Dunkin married Celia Bonello. She was a widow and also a Quaker. They had a son named Robert, who was born on July 1, 1787. Celia Dunkin was very active in the Quaker community. She passed away on January 21, 1824, when she was 76 years old.

Robert Dunkin's Business

Robert Dunkin ran a business that made and repaired many things. You can see one of his old business cards at Penlee House in Penzance.

His business was called DUNKIN & JAMES. They made and repaired saddles and harnesses. But they also worked with "philosophical instruments." These were scientific tools.

Some of the instruments they made and fixed included:

• Thermometers (for measuring temperature)
• Barometers (for measuring air pressure)
• Theodolites (for measuring angles, used in surveying)
• Anglometers (another type of angle measuring tool)
• Ships' Compasses (for navigation)

They also did engraved copperplate printing and worked with "medical electricity." This was an early form of using electricity for health. In 1823, a business guide listed Robert Dunkin as a saddlemaker in Market Place, Penzance.

Robert Dunkin's Quaker Faith

Robert Dunkin was a dedicated Quaker. His marriage followed Quaker customs, which means both he and Celia were Quakers in 1786. In 1828, he was listed as a member of the Penzance Quaker Meeting. He became a Quaker by "convincement," meaning he chose the faith after careful thought. In 1820, he even published a religious poem called "On God" in a magazine.

Robert Dunkin and Humphry Davy

Robert Dunkin played a huge role in the early learning of Humphry Davy. Davy later became a very famous scientist. Dunkin taught Davy a lot about how to do experiments.

Dunkin was known for being very skilled and good at many things. He was a saddler, but also an expert at making scientific instruments. He even received two patents for his inventions:

• In 1802, he helped invent ways to improve how ships sail and navigate.
• In 1813, he invented ways to use less steam and fuel in "fire engines" (early steam engines). He also improved tools used for mining.

Robert Hunt, another writer, said that Dunkin built his own electrical machine, voltaic piles (early batteries), and Leyden jars (devices to store electricity). He also made models to show how mechanics work. With these tools, Dunkin taught Davy the basics of science. Later, when Davy became a professor, he often repeated the clever experiments he had learned from Dunkin.

Davy started studying chemistry in 1797. His time with Dunkin ended when he moved away in December 1798. However, they might have known each other even earlier, as they lived in the same town. Dunkin's son, also named Robert, was a bit older than Davy.

One story tells of a debate between Dunkin and Davy about the Quakers' beliefs. Dunkin reportedly told Davy, "I tell thee what, Humphry, thou art the most quibbling hand at a dispute as I ever met with in my life." Despite their different views, Dunkin's skills as an instrument maker were very important for the success of their early chemistry and electricity experiments.