Ronalds , Sir , Francis , 1788-1873 , Knight , electrical engineer and meteorologist

Ronalds was born in London on 21 February 1788. He was educated at private school and displayed a liking for experiments. He later became skilled in practical mechanics and draughtsmanship. He devoted his life to practical electricity, and in 1816 invented the electric telegraph. In 1843 he was made honorary Director and Superintendent of the Meteorological Observatory at Kew in London. In 1852 he retired from the directorship of the Kew observatory. He then lived for many years abroad, mostly in Italy, where he was occupied in compiling a catalogue of books relating to electricity and in completing his electrical library. Ronalds was knighted in 1871. He died in Sussex on 8 August 1873.