Grove, William Robert (1811-1896)

Welsh scientist and lawyer. He became a barrister in 1835, and also devoted himself to scientific studies. He invented a voltaic cell, the Grove cell, and anticipated methods of electric lighting. He published The Correlation of Physical Forces (1846). In 1853 he became a QC, and later a judge.

He was born in Swansea, and was educated by private tutors and at Brasenose College, Oxford. In 1866 he was president of the British Association.