Astronomical Dialogues between a Gentleman and a Lady : Wherein the Doctrine of the Sphere, Uses of the Globes, and the Elements of Astronomy and Geography Are Explain'd Paperback / softback
by John Harris
Part of the Cambridge Library Collection - Astronomy series
Paperback / softback
Description
An Anglican clergyman and fellow of the Royal Society, John Harris (c.1666–1719) was an important promulgator of Newtonian science, through private teaching, public lectures and published writing.
His Lexicon Technicum (1704) may be considered the first encyclopaedia in English.
In the present work, published in 1719, Harris presents for his well-to-do readership a series of didactic conservations between a gentleman of science and an aristocratic lady.
He aims to induce 'persons of birth and fortune' to dedicate some of their 'happy leisure … to the improvement of their minds', and uses quotes from poets such as Samuel Butler and John Dryden to help elucidate scientific concepts.
In particular, Harris explains the use of contemporary scientific apparatus (and expensive status symbols) such as terrestrial and celestial globes.
The book ends with a description of the ultimate contemporary symbol of scientific refinement: the orrery, a working model of the solar system.
Information
-
Out of stock
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:210 pages, 5 Line drawings, unspecified
- Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Publication Date:13/11/2014
- Category:
- ISBN:9781108080194
Information
-
Out of stock
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:210 pages, 5 Line drawings, unspecified
- Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Publication Date:13/11/2014
- Category:
- ISBN:9781108080194
