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Cavendish House, Clapham Common, seen here from the garden, was the home of the noted scientist and chemist Henry Cavendish, who lived here between 1782 -1810. It was in this house that Cavendish made his famous experiment of determining the earth's density and discovered the composition of water, as well as the properties of hydrogen. His cousin the Duke of Devonshire remarked, 'the man who weighed the world buried his science and his wealth in solitude and insignificance at Clapham'. His modest, reclusive lifestyle meant upon his death in 1810, he was able to leave the large sum of £1,175,000 to the Duke. It was noted that 'Cavendish's contempt for money was quite equal to his distaste for society'.

Details
Collection:	Local History Library
Image type:	Photograph
Artist:
Ref:	01499
Identifier:	SP 22/188/CAV.12
Date:	c.1870

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