title: Sir Humphry Davy: boundless chemist, physicist, poet and man of action.
abstract: The years 2007 and 2008 mark the bi-centenary of two brilliant discoveries by Sir Humphry Davy: the isolation of sodium and potassium (1807) and the subsequent first observation (1808) of the beautiful blue and bronze colours now known to be characteristic of the solvated electron(1) in potassium-ammonia systems. In celebration of these dazzling discoveries, we reflect on Davy's many extraordinary contributions to science, technology and poetry. Humphry Davy, a truly great man, of Cornish spirit, brought immeasurable benefits to humankind.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK. jmt2@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sir John Meurig
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Peter P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Vladimir L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Kuznetsov
mesh_terms: D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000266:history*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000266:history*; D004583:Electrons; D004739:England; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis*; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium