Goldsworthy Gurney
Sir Goldsworthy Gurney (14 February 1793 – 28 February 1875) was an English surgeon, chemist, architect, builder, lecturer and consultant. He was a prototypical British gentleman scientist and inventor of the Victorian era.
Sir Goldsworthy Gurney | |
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Goldsworthy Gurney in earlier life. | |
| Born | 14 February 1793 St Merryn, Cornwall, England |
| Died | 28 February 1875 (aged 82) Reeds, Poughill, Cornwall |
| Occupation(s) | Surgeon, chemist, lecturer, consultant, architect, builder, gentleman scientist, inventor |
Amongst many accomplishments, he developed the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe, and later applied its principles to a novel form of illumination, the Bude-Light; developed a series of early steam-powered road vehicles; and laid claim—still discussed and disputed today—to the blastpipe, a key component in the success of steam locomotives, engines, and other coal-fired systems.
Events surrounding the failure of his steam vehicle enterprise gave rise to controversy in his time, with considerable polarisation of opinion. His daughter Anna Jane Gurney (1816–1895) was devoted to him. During her lifetime, she engaged in a campaign to ensure the blastpipe was seen as his invention.