Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay.

WHEWELL, William.

Verlag: John W. Parker, London, 1853

Beschreibung

2 blank leaves + 1 leaf with an engraved frontispiece showing two galaxies on the verso + tissue guard + TP + [iii]-v = Preface + [vii] = Contents + [1]-279 + 2 blank leaves, Octavo. First Edition. William Whewell (1794-1866) was one of the most important and influential figures in nineteenth-century Britain. Whewell, a polymath, wrote extensively on numerous subjects, including mechanics, mineralogy, geology, astronomy, political economy, theology, educational reform, international law, and architecture, as well as the works that remain the most well-known today in philosophy of science, history of science, and moral philosophy. In his own time his influence was acknowledged by the major scientists of the day, such as John Herschel, Charles Darwin, Charles Lyell and Michael Faraday, who frequently turned to Whewell for philosophical and scientific advice, and, interestingly, for terminological assistance. Whewell invented the terms "anode," "cathode," and "ion" for Faraday. Upon the request of the poet Coleridge in 1833 Whewell invented the English word "scientist" - before this time the only terms in use were "natural philosopher" and "man of science."This - one of his many astronomical works - is entitled as an "Essay", but runs to 279 pages of text as Whewell argues against the possibility of life on other planets. "His doctrine - that we have no ground for believing in other inhabited worlds than our own - was said by an epigrammatist to be intended to prove that 'through all infinity there was nothing so great as the master of Trinity.' Whewell, rightly or wrongly, supposed the argument to have a certain theological significance. In a literary sense it is probably his best work…" (Leslie Stephen in DNB). Contemporary ¾ leather binding with brown marbled boards. The book has been professionally and sympathetically rebacked with a new red label with gilt lettering. Some wit has written at the top of the first blank leaf: "Do not worry if your job is small and the rewards are few. The mighty oak once was a nut like you." (The quote looks eminently erasable should the new owner wish to do so.) With a small dark stain to the outer edge of the pages which very lightly bleeds to the final 80 pages of the book. With five pages of handwritten notes in Italian and in green ink on the final two blank leaves and the final free endpaper. Overall, a pretty copy of this astronomical work by Whewell. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 1016

Bibliografische Details

Titel: Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay.

Verlag: John W. Parker, London

Erscheinungsdatum: 1853

Auflage: FIRST EDITION.