(1666-1736) Dyer & Amateur Scientist
Stephen Gray carried out experiments on electricity which were ground-breaking and led to modern telegraphy and the telephone. He achieved no recognition until the final years of his life, and remains virtually unknown in his family city of Canterbury. To read about Stephen Gray and his exploits click here.
small pieces of brass leaf – one of Stephen Gray’s electrical experiments.
KEY WORDS: Otterden Place, Rev John Flamstead, Isaac Newton
DL
Update January 2025: The article by David Lewis referred to the Gray dyeing business moving to Stour Street and the site that is now the Canterbury Cycle Centre (22 Stour Street). The cycling centre is no longer there and the premises are now occupied by Rock Paper Scissors.
You might also be interested to know that Jim Al-Khalili successfully re-enacted the famous Stephen Gray “flying boy” experiment (but without a live audience) as part of a BBC science programme. You can see this demonstration and an explanation of the science by clicking on the link below
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00ksnyn
We expect to make further updates to this page in 2025 and 2026.
IO