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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Henry Cavendish
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(1731–1810)
Chemist and physicist who identified hydrogen (or 'inflammable air') as a distinct substance, demonstrated that water was a compound rather than an element, and made a remarkably accurate assessment of the density of the earth. He also made important early experiments with electricity. Wealthy by inheritance, he lived the life of an eccentric recluse.
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