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Science in the pits: Michael Faraday, Charles Lyell and the Home Office Enquiry into the Explosion at Haswell Colliery, County Durham, in 1844

James, Frank A.J.L.; Ray, M.

Authors

Frank A.J.L. James

M. Ray



Abstract

The explosion at Haswell colliery in September 1844 in which ninety five men and boys were killed has attracted considerable historical attention. This is in some measure due to Michael Faraday and Charles Lyell taking part in the inquest and writing a subsequent report on the cause of the explosion and how to prevent such explosions in the future. Using evidence not used before, this paper examines the context in which the explosion occurred, the inquest process, the political pressure which led to the involvement of Faraday and Lyell, their role at the inquest, their subsequent report and the way in which it was dealt with by the Government of Robert Peel.

Citation

James, F. A., & Ray, M. (1999). Science in the pits: Michael Faraday, Charles Lyell and the Home Office Enquiry into the Explosion at Haswell Colliery, County Durham, in 1844. History and Technology, 15(3), 175-212. https://doi.org/10.1080/07341519908581947

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 1999-01
Journal History and Technology
Print ISSN 0734-1512
Electronic ISSN 1477-2620
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 15
Issue 3
Pages 175-212
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/07341519908581947
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1579135


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