Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bachhoffner, George Henry
BACHHOFFNER, GEORGE HENRY (1810–1879), one of the founders of the London Polytechnic Institution, and in his day a well-known and popular lecturer on scientific subjects, was a native of London. It was in 1837 that he, in conjunction with a few others, established the Polytechnic, which was intended for a place of popular instruction, and, indeed, while it was under Bachhoffner's control, sufficiently fulfilled that intention. Here he held the position of principal of the department of natural and experimental philosophy till 1855. Afterwards he became lessee and manager of the Coliseum in the Regent's Park, and there gave lectures similar to the courses he had established at the Polytechnic. In the later part of his life he held a post as registrar of births and deaths in Marvlebone. Bachhoffner was an inventor, and took out several patents for inventions connected with the electric telegraph, gas stoves, oil lamps, &c.
[The above details were communicated by some of Dr. Bachhoffner's relatives.]