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Humphry Davy

Laughing Gas, Literature, and the Lamp

Alison Sharman, Sharon Ruston, Andrew Lacey, Frank Pearson, Frank James, Hattie Lloyd, Tim Ellis, and Adrian Fish

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is open to anyone with an interest in history, particularly the history of science and medicine, or with an interest in poetry. No prior knowledge of Humphry Davy’s life and times is required. You can use the hashtag #FLDavy to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

The key moments of Humphry Davy’s early life and career
The importance of lecturing at the Royal Institution of Great Britain
The purpose of different kinds of writing from poetry, to letters, notebooks, and published scientific writing
The significance of Davy’s scientific achievements
The safety lamp controversy
The relationship between Davy and Michael Faraday

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Reviews summary

Captivating humphry davy: science, history, & literature

Learners say this course offers a captivating and informative exploration of Humphry Davy's life and contributions, highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of science or literature. Students consistently praise the expert, engaging, and knowledgeable instructors from Lancaster University and the Royal Institution. The course is celebrated for its well-structured and accessible content, effectively blending science, history, and literary connections, particularly Davy's ties to the Romantic Age. Many found it to be an excellent introduction, bringing a fascinating historical figure to life. A few advanced learners, however, noted the pace could be basic for those with prior knowledge, suggesting it's best suited for beginners or those seeking a broad overview.

Excellent overview, but may lack depth for advanced learners.

"I found the course quite basic, covering material I was already familiar with."

"It felt more like a general overview than an in-depth study... fine for absolute beginners but not much for those with some background."

"The content was very detailed... but the pacing of the videos felt a little slow... quizzes... didn't really challenge me enough."

Course content is well-organized and easy to follow.

"The course is well organised, with clear and well-produced videos."

"A very well-presented course, covering science, history and literature in a fascinating way."

"Well-structured course which brings Humphry Davy to life in a way I didn't expect."

Explores science, history, and literature effectively.

"I really enjoyed the balance between Davy's science and his literary connections."

"A great course covering history, science and literature. The information was well presented."

"Absorbing and wide ranging course covering science, history and social aspects of Humphry Davy's life."

Taught by passionate and knowledgeable academics.

"The presenters are very knowledgeable and passionate about their subject, which makes learning so much more enjoyable."

"The lecturers, Frank James and Sharon Ruston, bring the subject to life and make it accessible."

"Very good course from a great instructor. The presenters made the course so interesting."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Humphry Davy: Laughing Gas, Literature, and the Lamp. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.