George John Singer (1786–1817) was an English early pioneer of electrical research, noted for his publications and for lectures delivered privately and at the Russell Institution.
George Singer
Born
1786
Died
28 June 1817
Nationality
British
Known for
Publications and lectures
Scientific career
Fields
Electrics
Biographyedit
Singer was the son of Thomas Singer, and the younger brother of Samuel Weller Singer. In early life he was engaged in his mother's business of artificial-flower making. Every spare moment, however, he devoted to scientific study, more particularly to the investigation of electricity and electromagnetism, then little known. He was a friend of and worked with Andrew Crosse, another early electrical pioneer.[1] Singer built, almost unassisted, a large room at the back of his mother's house in Prince's Street, Cavendish Square, where he gave courses of lectures on electricity and kindred subjects. Among his audience were Michael Faraday and Sir Francis Ronalds.[2]
Singer published Elements of Electricity and Electro-chemistry, London, 1814, a work of considerable contemporary importance, which was translated into French (Paris, 1817), into Italian (Milan, 1819), and into German (Breslau, 1819). He also contributed several papers to the Philosophical Magazine from 1813 to 1815, of which a list is given in Ronalds's Catalogue of Books on Electricity, Magnetism, &c.[2]
Singer made almost the whole of his apparatus himself, and introduced several enhancements. He invented an improved gold-leaf electrometer that was used widely for many years. A key feature was a new mode of insulating the wire connected to the leaves through the cap of the bottle, which he announced in 1811 and described in his book. Ronalds later put on record that the idea for the insulation was his.[3][4]
Singer died, unmarried, of pulmonary tuberculosis, induced by overwork, on 28 June 1817, at his mother's house.
He lived in the Old House now known as Coundon Court Academy.
Referencesedit
^James, Frank A. J. L. (2004). "Singer, George John (1786–1817), electrical researcher". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/25638. Retrieved 8 February 2012. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ abCarlyle, E. I.. (1897). "Singer, George John (1786–1817), electrician". Dictionary of National Biography Vol. LII. Smith, Elder & Co. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
^Ronalds, B.F. (2016). Sir Francis Ronalds: Father of the Electric Telegraph. London: Imperial College Press. ISBN978-1-78326-917-4.
^Ronalds, B.F. (July 2016). "Francis Ronalds (1788-1873): The First Electrical Engineer?". Proceedings of the IEEE. 104 (7): 1489. doi:10.1109/JPROC.2016.2571358. S2CID 20662894.
Elements of Electricity and Electro-chemistry by George Singer, 1814, from the Internet Archive
January 01, 1970
george, singer, english, bicycle, pioneer, cycle, manufacturer, george, john, singer, 1786, 1817, english, early, pioneer, electrical, research, noted, publications, lectures, delivered, privately, russell, institution, born1786died28, june, 1817nationalitybri. For the English bicycle pioneer see George Singer cycle manufacturer George John Singer 1786 1817 was an English early pioneer of electrical research noted for his publications and for lectures delivered privately and at the Russell Institution George SingerBorn1786Died28 June 1817NationalityBritishKnown forPublications and lecturesScientific careerFieldsElectricsBiography editSinger was the son of Thomas Singer and the younger brother of Samuel Weller Singer In early life he was engaged in his mother s business of artificial flower making Every spare moment however he devoted to scientific study more particularly to the investigation of electricity and electromagnetism then little known He was a friend of and worked with Andrew Crosse another early electrical pioneer 1 Singer built almost unassisted a large room at the back of his mother s house in Prince s Street Cavendish Square where he gave courses of lectures on electricity and kindred subjects Among his audience were Michael Faraday and Sir Francis Ronalds 2 Singer published Elements of Electricity and Electro chemistry London 1814 a work of considerable contemporary importance which was translated into French Paris 1817 into Italian Milan 1819 and into German Breslau 1819 He also contributed several papers to the Philosophical Magazine from 1813 to 1815 of which a list is given in Ronalds s Catalogue of Books on Electricity Magnetism amp c 2 Singer made almost the whole of his apparatus himself and introduced several enhancements He invented an improved gold leaf electrometer that was used widely for many years A key feature was a new mode of insulating the wire connected to the leaves through the cap of the bottle which he announced in 1811 and described in his book Ronalds later put on record that the idea for the insulation was his 3 4 Singer died unmarried of pulmonary tuberculosis induced by overwork on 28 June 1817 at his mother s house He lived in the Old House now known as Coundon Court Academy References edit James Frank A J L 2004 Singer George John 1786 1817 electrical researcher Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 ref odnb 25638 Retrieved 8 February 2012 Subscription or UK public library membership required a b Carlyle E I 1897 Singer George John 1786 1817 electrician Dictionary of National Biography Vol LII Smith Elder amp Co Retrieved 8 February 2012 Ronalds B F 2016 Sir Francis Ronalds Father of the Electric Telegraph London Imperial College Press ISBN 978 1 78326 917 4 Ronalds B F July 2016 Francis Ronalds 1788 1873 The First Electrical Engineer Proceedings of the IEEE 104 7 1489 doi 10 1109 JPROC 2016 2571358 S2CID 20662894 Attribution nbsp This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Singer George John Dictionary of National Biography London Smith Elder amp Co 1885 1900 External links editElements of Electricity and Electro chemistry by George Singer 1814 from the Internet Archive Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George Singer amp oldid 1197336049, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
