Royal Institution frozen, he was not allowed to practise as a doctor, and Humphry Davy was appointed as his assistant, so he resigned. Humphry Davy was an even greater success, as was his assistant and successor Michael Faraday. Davy's immediate successor was William Thomas Brande. Thus the Institution has had an instrumental role in the advancement of science since its founding. Notable scientists who have worked there include Sir Humphry Davy (who discovered sodium and potassium), Michael Faraday, James Dewar, Sir William Henry Bragg and Sir William Lawrence Bragg (who jointly won the Nobel prize for their work on x-ray diffraction), Max
John Davy Rolleston between 1924 and 1926. He served the section throughout his life. In 1931, he published one of the most complete biography's of Jean-Baptiste Bouillaud and in 1937, he published "The History of the Acute Exanthemata", based on his Fitzpatrick lectures (1935–36), presented at the Royal College of Physicians. Rolleston was a noted folklorist and fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Rolleston died on 13 March 1946, his career and reputation somewhat overshadowed by the imposing personality of his brother, Humphrey. His papers are part of the Rolleston collection held by the Wellcome Collection. John Davy Rolleston John Davy