A Short History of Science (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

William Thompson Sedgwick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1330231473 ISBN 13: 9781330231470

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

This book explores how our understanding of science has evolved over many years, starting with the most basic concepts. Written by authors with a wealth of knowledge, this book draws upon history, archaeology, and a multitude of scientific disciplines to unravel the fascinating story of how science emerged. Beginning with ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians and Egyptians, the authors trace the origins of mathematics and astronomy, showing how these early civilizations laid the foundation for much of our modern scientific knowledge. The book also delves into the important role that Greek philosophers played in shaping scientific thought, and examines the major scientific advancements made during the Middle Ages. Ultimately, this book argues that science is an ongoing process of discovery, in which each generation builds upon the knowledge of the past while constantly striving to push the boundaries of human understanding.

About this title

About the Author

William Thompson Sedgwick (1855–1921) was a teacher, epidemiologist, bacteriologist, and a key figure in shaping public health in the United States. He was president of many scientific and professional organizations during his lifetime including president of the American Public Health Association in 1915. He was one of three founders of the joint MIT-Harvard School of Public Health in 1913. In 1883, Sedgwick was appointed to the faculty at MIT. He was promoted to associate professor in 1884 and to full professor in 1891. He became head of what ultimately became known as the Department of Biology at MIT. In 1888, Sedgwick began giving lectures in bacteriology to students in the civil engineering curriculum. His students became the spokesmen and practitioners who brought the principles of public health into the practice of engineering beginning in the 1890s and lasting well into the 20th century. While he has been hailed as the first scientific American epidemiologist, Sedgwick was also described as not having a mathematical mind. He taught ideas and principles to his students. He instilled in his students the need to develop three basic behaviors: a vision of the subject in relation to the broader world, an honest method of working to seek the truth and an enthusiasm for service to the profession the public. In 1902, he published the groundbreaking book, Principles of Sanitary Science and the Public Health, which was a compilation of his lectures from the courses he taught at MIT and a distillation of his experience working in the field. Sedgwick influenced many practitioners in the field of public health. He played a key role in Samuel Cate Prescott's choice to go into bacteriology as a career, and was instrumental in Prescott's selection in the canning research with William Lyman Underwood in 1895–6 that would lead to the growth of food technology.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1330231473
• ISBN 13: 9781330231470
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 512