William Grylls Adams

William Grylls Adams was a British professor of Natural Philosophy at King's College, London, active in research ranging from light, magnetism and astronomy to electrical power generation and transmission. His research in optics led to the discovery that certain materials, notably selenium, produce an electric current when exposed to light, an early demonstration of what became known as the photovoltaic effect. Adams was also active in numerous academic societies, holding major positions within them over the course of his career.