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Hippolyte Marié-Davy

1820 – 1893

French chemist

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About Hippolyte Marié-Davy

Lived 1820 – 1893 (aged 73). Hippolyte Marié-Davy was a French chemist, physician, physicist and meteorologist.

Edme Hippolyte Marié-Davy (28 April 1820 – 26 July 1893) was a French chemist and inventor during the 19th century. He was born in Clamecy, Nièvre.

In 1854, he invented the first naval periscope, consisting of a vertical tube with two small mirrors fixed at each end at 45°. He also invented a mercury bisulfate battery that bears his name, "the Marie-Davy".

In 1854, Marié-Davy invented an electromagnetic motor. Based on it, he proposed a submarine with an electrically driven propeller. McClintock and Watson once planned to use the device on the Hunley. The engine was said to have the power of "a one-horse steam engine".

In the 1860s, he was Deputy Director of the Paris Observatory, in charge of meteorology. He devoted himself to the study of local thunderstorms, following the destructive storm of 14 November 1854, in the Crimean War.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
École Normale Supérieure, University of Montpellier. Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Montpellier
Awards
Knight of the Legion of Honour
Also known as
Edme Hippolyte Marié-Davy

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Hippolyte Marié-Davy's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Hippolyte Marié-Davy?

French chemist

When was Hippolyte Marié-Davy born?

Hippolyte Marié-Davy was born on 28 April 1820 in Clamecy.

When did Hippolyte Marié-Davy die?

Hippolyte Marié-Davy died on 26 July 1893 in Dornecy.

What was Hippolyte Marié-Davy's occupation?

Hippolyte Marié-Davy was a chemist, physician, physicist and meteorologist.

What nationality was Hippolyte Marié-Davy?

Hippolyte Marié-Davy was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Hippolyte Marié-Davy

· Wikidata: Q11007547

· DBpedia: Hippolyte Marié-Davy

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hippolyte Marié-Davy. https://biography.guide/hippolyte-marie-davy/

MLA: "Hippolyte Marié-Davy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hippolyte-marie-davy/.

Chicago: "Hippolyte Marié-Davy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hippolyte-marie-davy/.

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