SCIENCE IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICA

by Nathan -Ed. Reingold ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Somewhat elliptical survey of the American beginnings of various scientific disciplines, this offers an introduction rather than providing the comprehensive story. It includes a large variety of original letters written by and to our early scientists, categorized and prefaced with succinct historical and biographical notes by the editor, who is an historian with the Library of Congress. He acquaints the reader with the unusual beginnings of the National Academy of Sciences and Joseph Henry's problems in the Smithsonian Institution, and offers material never before published that can be useful to the beginning student of American science in three ways. First, the letters provide the authentic, flavor of the times in which such men as Silliman, Bowditch, Gray, Peirce, Cope, Marsh, Newcomb, Morley, Gibbs and many esser-known though important scientists struggled to raise the quality of American science and to crystallize new disciplines. Secondly, the early factionalism and personal feuds are revealed. Thirdly, there is much to stimulate curiosity for further research in that often replies to interesting letters are not included. A begining study that will no doubt be followed by further investigation in an important developmental area of American science.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Hill & Wang

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1964

Categories: NONFICTION