James Ephraim Lovelock was an English independent scientist, environmentalist and futurist. He is best known for proposing the Gaia hypothesis, which postulates that the Earth functions as a self-regulating system.
Lovelock in 2005
Electron capture detector developed by Lovelock in the Science Museum, London
The study of planetary habitability is partly based upon extrapolation from knowledge of the Earth's conditions, as the Earth is the only planet currently known to harbour life (The Blue Marble, 1972 Apollo 17 photograph).
Lovelock in 2005
An independent scientist is a financially independent scientist who pursues scientific study without direct affiliation to a public institution such as a university or government-run research and development body.
Sir George Cayley, 6th Baronet, discovered fundamental principles of aeronautics.