He wrote a number of influential books including, "Practical Treatise on Gas Light" (1815) which was successful in promoting gas illumination of cities.
Other works include "Culinary Chemistry" (1821), "On the Adulteration of Food" (1822) and "Essay of Chemical Reactants" (1816).
In 1822 he returned to Berlin after facing charges of embezzlement related to his period as librarian of the [[Royal Institution] on Albermarle Street.