England's Leonardo: Robert Hooke and the Seventeenth-Century Scientific Revolution - Hardcover

Chapman, Allan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0750309873 ISBN 13: 9780750309875

Publisher: CRC Press, 2004

Synopsis

All physicists are familiar with Hooke's law of springs, but few will know of his theory of combustion, that his Micrographia was the first book on microscopy, that his astronomical observations were some of the best seen at the time, that he contributed to the knowledge of respiration, insect flight and the properties of gases, that his work on gravitation preceded that of Newton's, that he invented the universal joint, and that he was an architect of distinction and a surveyor for the City of London after the Great Fire.

England's Leonardo is a biography of Hooke covering all aspects of his work, from his early life on the Isle of Wight through his time at Oxford University, where he became part of a group who would form the original Fellowship of the Royal Society. The author adopts a novel approach at this stage, dividing the book by chapter according to the fields of research-Physiology, Engineering, Microscopy, Astronomy, Geology, and Optics-in which Hooke applied himself. The book concludes with a chapter considering the legacy of Hooke and his impact on science.

About this title

About the Author:

Allan Chapman is a professional historian of science at the Faculty of Modern History, Oxford.

Review:

"This, the latest work on Robert Hooke is probably the definitive biography and more than justifies a place in any scholarly library. Chapman is master of his subject and he draws the reader into the details and the physics producing compelling narrative packed with information." -- A review essay by Howard Dawes, January 2005 The book is written with enthusiasm, and is perhaps at its strongest in its hands-on account of Hooke's scientific practice: Chapman has actually tried to replicate Hooke's experiments using comparable equipment. -- Times Literary Supplement by Micheal Hunter "Allan Chapman has written a biography rich in detail; In England's Leonardo Chapman does him (Robert Hooke) Proud" -- Roy Herbert, New Scientist, 16 April 2005 "Allan Chapman's enthusiasm for Hooke comes over 'loud and clear' in this scholarly work, which comprehensively guides us from his birth...to his death. Allan Chapman's essential biography, well researched as it is, fills in many of the holes created by Newton and his followers (or gaps in Hooke's own diaries), sets the life in historical, social, and scientific contexts, and draws very welcome conclusions as to the legacy of Robert Hooke. This is a volume to keep handy for reference, with copious notes at the end; but it is also one to enjoy and to treasure as a document setting the record straight." -- David Stickland; The Observatory magazine; Vol 125; No. 1186, June 2005

About this edition

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0750309873
• ISBN 13: 9780750309875
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 360