Green, Charles (1785–1870)

English aeronaut, the most famous Victorian professional balloonist. Born in London, England, his first ascent was in 1821, when he pioneered the use of coal gas. The most important of his 500 or more ascents was the nonstop flight from London to Weilburg (480 mi/770 km) that he made in 1836, a long-distance record not exceeded until 1907.