Gowin Knight
Gowin Knight FRS was a British physicist who, in 1745, discovered a process for producing strongly magnetized steel. He also served as the first principal librarian of the British Museum.Biography
Born in Corringham, a small civil parish in Lincolnshire, he was educated at Leeds Grammar School and Magdalen Hall, Oxford. He was awarded a BA in October 1736, MA in June 1739 and MB in February 1742, after which he lived in London as a practising physician.
In 1745, Knight discovered a process for forming strongly magnetized steel, which he used to develop a compass needle able to function with greater precision. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society the same year after presenting his findings to the Society. He was honoured in 1747 with the Copley Medal in recognition of his achievements and, by 1752, his technologically advanced compasses were adopted by the Royal Navy, with renowned London instrument craftsman, George Adams, engaged in their manufacture.
In 1756, Gowin Knight received an appointment as the first principal librarian of the British Museum. He died in London, three months before his 59th birthday.
