A Treatise on Optics

Brewster, Sir David

Published by Carey, Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia, Pa, 1837

About this Item

8vo. A very nice copy of this important 19th-century scientific text. "Sir David Brewster (1781 - 1868) was a British scientist, inventor, author, and academic administrator. In science he is principally remembered for his experimental work in physical optics, mostly concerned with the study of the polarization of light and including the discovery of Brewster's angle. He studied the birefringence of crystals under compression and discovered photoelasticity, thereby creating the field of optical mineralogy. For this work, William Whewell dubbed him the "father of modern experimental optics" and "the Johannes Kepler of optics." "A pioneer in photography, Brewster invented an improved stereoscope, which he called "lenticular stereoscope" and which became the first portable 3D-viewing device. He also invented the stereoscopic camera, two types of polarimeters, the polyzonal lens, the lighthouse illuminator, and the kaleidoscope. "As a historian of science, Brewster focused on the life and work of his hero, Isaac Newton. He published a detailed biography of Newton in 1831 and later became the first scientific historian to examine many of the papers in Newton's Nachlass. Brewster also wrote numerous works of popular science, and was one of the founders of the British Science Association, of which he was elected President in 1849." - Wiki 323pp, viii, 95pp. Many illustrated graphs and charts. Brown publisher's cloth with paper title label to spine. Square tight binding. Clean interior. Some sunning around binding edges, and sporadic foxing to the inside. Lighter small circular staining to rear board. Seller Inventory # 16579

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Treatise on Optics

Publisher: Carey, Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia, Pa

Publication Date: 1837

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Good