A light emitting device includes an emissive substance between an anode and cathode that emits light upon application of electrical energy. The emissive substance included in the device is at least one of the following types of compounds: (a) a compound having a plurality of 1,7-phenanthroline skeletal structures; (b) a benzoquinoline derivative; (c) a spiro compound; and (d) a tetraphenylmethane derivative.