Henry Cavendish
1731–1810 · British · Enlightenment
Known for: Discovered hydrogen, determined the composition of water, and measured the density of Earth
Henry Cavendish was the most eccentric scientist in history and possibly the most brilliant experimental physicist before Faraday. He discovered hydrogen, determined the composition of water and air, and measured the density of the Earth with an apparatus of extraordinary sensitivity.
He also independently discovered Ohm's law and Coulomb's law decades before Ohm and Coulomb—but never published them. He was so pathologically shy that he communicated with servants by notes and had a back staircase built to avoid encountering his female housekeeper.
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.