Observations upon Lightning

Benjamin Wilson was a painter and amateur scientist. He wrote this collection of treatises on lightning and the innovation of lightning rods. Wilson argued that lightning rods should have a rounded tip, believing that they were better at reducing damage. This contrasted with the tapered rods invented by Benjamin Franklin. Wilson had the support of George III and his designs were used for rods constructed at the gunpowder ordnance at Purfleet in Essex. The book contains Wilson’s initial treatise on lightning, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, in addition to a second essay rejected by the Society and further manuscript notes emphasising the benefits of his design over Franklin’s.