Agnes Mary Clerke and the Rise of Astrophysics - Softcover

Brück, M. T.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521055792 ISBN 13: 9780521055796

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

Born in Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century, Agnes Mary Clerke achieved fame as the author of A History of Astronomy during the nineteenth century. Through her quarter-century career, she became the leading commentator on astronomy and astrophysics in the English-speaking world. This biography describes not only the life and work of this extraordinary woman, but also chronicles the development of astronomy in the last decades of pre-Einstein science. Along the way, it introduces many of the great figures in astronomy of that age, including Huggins, Lockyer, Holden, and Pickering.

About this title

Book Description:

Born in Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century, Agnes Clerke achieved fame as the author of A History of Astronomy during the Nineteenth Century. But how exactly did a woman with no formal education come to write such a work? In this absorbing account, Mary Bruck investigates what drove this woman who would eventually become one of the leading commentators on astrophysics in the world. Her story will fascinate not only scientists, but everyone who admires intellectual achievement brought about through love of learning and sheer hard work.

About the Author:

Mary Bruck gained her PhD in astronomy from the University of Edinburgh, where she went on to become a Senior Lecturer in astronomy. Her main research interest was in photographic stellar photometry and spectroscopy. Now retired, she has a special interest in nineteenth century British and Irish women in astronomy, about whom she has written numerous articles. In 2001, Dr Bruck was awarded the Lorimer Medal of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0521055792
• ISBN 13: 9780521055796
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288