Biographical entry Boys, Charles Vernon (1855 - 1944)

Summary

(Sir) Charles Vernon Boys published on integrating mechanisms, quartz fibres, radio- micrometer, heat of moon and stars, constant of gravitation, solid dipleidoscope prisms, gas calorimetry and the speed of lightning.

Details

Born Wing, Rutland, 15 March 1855. Died Andover, England, 30 March 1944. Kt 1935. Educated Royal School of Mines, Cambridge. Invented moving lens lightning camera 1900; designed improved torsion balance 1895; invented radio-micrometer, with which he could measure heat radiation from moon and planets; proved that temperature of Jupiter's surface is less than 100 degrees centigrade; recommended use of quartz fibres (rather than silk) for delicate suspension instruments; designed calorimeter to measure thermal power of coal gas.

Archival resources

Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science

• Charles Vernon Boys - Records, 1894, MS 41; Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science. Details

Published resources

Online Resources

• National Library of Australia, 'Boys, C V', Trove, National Library of Australia and the Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-977783. Details