Humphry Davy’s whole story – warts and all – deserves to be told

A remarkable project is drawing to a close, one that has given us new insights into the mind of one history’s greatest chemists: Humphry Davy. Over 3500 volunteers have transcribed 83 notebooks that had been sitting in the archives of the Royal Institution, unable to reach a wider audience. And they give us unprecedented access to the thoughts and ideas of one of the 19th century’s most celebrated scientists. These include how he felt when inebriated and high on nitrous oxide. His excitement after discovering a new element – a frequent experience for him, he discovered more than any person before or since. As well as his sketches and doodles.