winsor went to britain before 1799 and became interested in the technology and economics of fuels. in 1802 he went to paris to investigate the 'thermo-lamp' which french engineer philippe lebon had patented in 1799. returning to britain, he started a gasworks and in 1807 lit one side of pall mall, london, with gas lamps. in 1804-09 he was granted various patents for gas furnaces and purifiers. his application to parliament for a charter for the gas light and coke company having failed, winsor once more moved to france, but unlike the success he had in united kingdom in paris his company in made little progress and was liquidated in 1819.