Francis Ronalds
Sir Francis Ronalds | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Sir Francis Ronalds painted in 1867 | |
| Born | 21 February 1788 City of London, England |
| Died | 8 August 1873 (aged 85) Battle, East Sussex, England |
| Known for | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics, electrical engineering, applied mechanics, meteorology, photography, archaeology |
Sir Francis Ronalds FRS (21 February 1788 – 8 August 1873) was an English scientist and inventor, and arguably the first electrical engineer. He was knighted for creating the first working electric telegraph over a substantial distance. In 1816 he laid an 8-mile (13 km) length of iron wire between wooden frames in his mother's garden and sent pulses using electrostatic generators. He also is known for creating the first electric clock in 1814.