Henry Moyes

Who was Henry Moyes?

Henry Moyes was a lecturer on natural philosophy. As an itinerant public speaker he helped raise 18th century popular interest in the new field of chemistry. He mixed with the greatest engineers and scientists of the day and attended the Lunar Society. In London he shared a room in George Street, Hanover Square with Adam Walker where lectures were given to small groups of gentry. Moyes was described as an excellent lecturer in philosophy by Joseph Priestley. His portrait was painted by John Russell.

He came from a humble Kirkcaldy background and was blinded aged three by smallpox. In 1766 he was befriended by Adam Smith, when the latter was in Kirkcaldy writing his Wealth of Nations. The boy showed precocious aptitude and, as well as teaching Moyes himself, Smith secured the patronage of David Hume and Thomas Reid in the young man's education.

Being blind, he required assistance for demonstrations and his assistant, nephew William Nicol, would himself become notable for his contributions to science.

During 1784–6, he toured the United States giving successful lectures in Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Princeton and Charleston, South Carolina.