Barrett, William Fletcher (1844–1925)

English physicist. His research on alloys led to his discovery of ‘Stalloy’, one of the alloys of iron and silicon that are the basic materials for constructing electric motors, generators and transformers.

Barrett was born in Jamaica and educated in Manchester. He held the post of professor of physics at Dublin, 1873–1910. He was also a founder member of the Society for Psychical Research, and investigated the use of the divining rod.