Beverley Frances Ronalds

"This book brings an extraordinary legacy to life through material written by people who were close to the man himself, many of which have never before been published. For anyone interested in Victorian science and how it provided the basis for today’s high-tech world, this thorough and readable biography is an unprecedented look at the life of one of the period’s great figures."

E & T Magazine

Telecommunication has undergone unprecedented change in recent times. Two hundred years ago, Sir Francis Ronalds foresaw its development and imagined a world of "electrical conversations". His subsequent creations, the most important of which include an early version of the telegraph, have had significant impact on modern living. Little recognized until now, his extraordinary legacy is brought to life through never-before published sources written by people close to the man himself.

In this book, details of Sir Francis's inventions — covering areas as diverse as electrical devices, weather forecasting, photography, art, mass production, and even fishing — are interwoven with personal and professional tales of achievement. Fresh light is shone on controversies and precedence in several important discoveries. Using both anecdotal and scientific evidence, it is written for those interested in the pursuit of science in the 19th century and the fascinating developments which have proved essential to the technological revolution of the 21st century.

Read more about Sir Francis Ronald's life on Physics Today.

Contents:

• Preface
• Introduction
• Founded on Cheese
• Scenes in the Story
• Frank and His Family
• A Life of Science
• Electrical Science and Engineering 1810–19
• Who Invented the Electric Telegraph?
• The Grand Tour
• A Sulphur Business Opportunity?
• Perspective Tracing Instruments
• Dr Alexander Blair and the Carnac Megaliths
• Science Exhibitions: A Glimpse into Ronalds' Mechanical Inventions 1824–41
• Kew Observatory 1842–55 and Beyond
• Atmospheric Electricity and Meteorology: Instruments and Observations
• Photographic Recording Instruments for Meteorology and Geomagnetism
• Last Years and Legacy

Readership: Scientists and engineers interested in 19th century innovations, social and technological historians.
Key Features:

• First comprehensive biography of Sir Francis Ronalds, an important scientist, engineer and inventor
• Includes historical references to controversy in the competitive world of invention during the industrial revolution