COXWELL, HENRY TRACEY (1819-1900), English aeronaut, was born at Wouldham, Kent, on March 2, 1819, the son of a naval officer. In 1848 he became a professional balloon ist, making numerous public ascents in the chief Continental cities and in London. In 1862 in company with Dr. James Glaisher, he attained the greatest height on record, about 7 miles. His companion became insensible, and he himself, unable to use his frost-bitten hands, opened the gas-valve with his teeth, and made an extremely rapid but safe descent. The aerial voyages by Coxwell and Glaisher provided important contributions to the science of meteorology. Coxwell was most pertinacious in urging the practical utility of employing balloons in time of war. His last ascent was made in 1885. He died on Jan. 5, 1900.
See his My Life and Balloon Experiences (1887) .