Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Melville, David |
Born |
1773 |
Nationality |
American |
Notes |
David Melville (1773-1856). David Melville, pewterer's son, store ad bath house keeper, Old Stone Mill theorist and meteorologist was the inventor of a patented process for producing illuminated gas. Through his invention, Pelham Street in Newport became the first street in America to be illuminated by gas. He went on to successfully install gas lighting in the Beaver Tail Lighthouse through a contract with the United States Government in 1817. (Newport History, Journal of the Newport Historical Society, Vol. 67, part 4 Spring 1996, no. 233, pp. 200-203) (There was a David Melvill --no "e"--who became a Library member in 1751, at the same time as John Banister was admitted to membership.) |
Occupation |
Inventor, meteorologist |
Role |
Donor |
