The New International Encyclopædia/Shrapnel, Henry

SHRAPNEL, Henry (1761-1842). An English inventor, born at Bradford-on-Avon. In 1784 he began to study hollow projectiles. He spent three years in Gibraltar and in 1803 his shot case or shell was recommended for adoption into the service. He improved the construction of howitzers and mortars and invented the brass tangent slide. In 1837 he was promoted to be lieutenant-general. See Projectiles; Shrapnel.