John Walsh’s Scientific Journey
Colonel John Walsh more than anyone else would make electric fish electrical. He was elected into the Royal Society in 1770, being “a Gentleman well acquainted with philosophical & polite literature, & particularly versed in the natural history and antiquities of India”. After his election into the Royal Society, Walsh interacted with the organization's esteemed natural philosophers and electrical scientists. Of these people, Franklin was singularly important. Not only did Franklin introduce Walsh to other people of merit in the organization, he played the leading role in encouraging Walsh to devote his scientific energies to sea torpedoes, and specifically to test the hypothesis that their discharges are electrical.
Keywords: sea torpedoes, animal electricity, Benjamin Franklin, Colonel John Walsh, Royal Society
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