Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1802 (Creation)
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Extent and medium
1 volume
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Giovanni Aldini was born in Bologna, Italy, 1762. He became Professor of Physics at Bologna in 1798. His scientific work was chiefly concerned with galvanism and its medical applications, with the construction and illumination of lighthouses, and with experiments for preserving human life and material objects from destruction by fire. He travelled in Europe, publicly electrifying human and animal bodies, and his performances were extraordinary theatrical spectacles. He came to London in 1802. His most famous experiment took place at the Royal College of Surgeons in London, in 1803, on a hanged man named George Forster. According to newspaper reports of the time, some of the spectators genuinely believed that the body was about to come to life, and were suitably awestruck even though it did not happen. The Emperor of Austria made him a Knight of the Iron Crown and a Councillor of State in Milan. He died in 1834.
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Archival history
GB 0114 MS0262 1802 Collection (fonds) 1 volume Aldini , Giovanni , 1762-1834 , physicist
Clift , William , 1775-1849 , museum curator and scientific illustrator
Giovanni Aldini was born in Bologna, Italy, 1762. He became Professor of Physics at Bologna in 1798. His scientific work was chiefly concerned with galvanism and its medical applications, with the construction and illumination of lighthouses, and with experiments for preserving human life and material objects from destruction by fire. He travelled in Europe, publicly electrifying human and animal bodies, and his performances were extraordinary theatrical spectacles. He came to London in 1802. His most famous experiment took place at the Royal College of Surgeons in London, in 1803, on a hanged man named George Forster. According to newspaper reports of the time, some of the spectators genuinely believed that the body was about to come to life, and were suitably awestruck even though it did not happen. The Emperor of Austria made him a Knight of the Iron Crown and a Councillor of State in Milan. He died in 1834.
The provenance of this material is not known.
Papers relating to Giovanni Aldini, 1802, comprising an illustrated notebook by an unknown hand, recording experiments on the galvanic fluid by Giovanni Aldini, at the Theatre of Anatomy, Great Windmill Street, Haymarket, 20 Dec 1802. The front cover of the notebook was written by William Clift.
As outlined in Scope and Content.
By written appointment only.
At the discretion of the Librarian.
English
Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1928) by Victor G Plarr.
Compiled by Anya Turner.
Source: http://chem.ch.huji.ac.il/~eugeniik/history/aldini.html
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Sep 2008 Clift , William , 1775-1849 , museum curator and scientific illustrator Aldini , Giovanni , 1762-1834 , physicist Electricity Research work Experiments London England UK Western Europe Europe
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The provenance of this material is not known.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers relating to Giovanni Aldini, 1802, comprising an illustrated notebook by an unknown hand, recording experiments on the galvanic fluid by Giovanni Aldini, at the Theatre of Anatomy, Great Windmill Street, Haymarket, 20 Dec 1802. The front cover of the notebook was written by William Clift.
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As outlined in Scope and Content.
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By written appointment only.
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At the discretion of the Librarian.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
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English
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Finding aids
Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1928) by Victor G Plarr.
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Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
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Language(s)
- English