The Language of Mineralogy

John Walker, Chemistry and the Edinburgh Medical School, 1750-1800

Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book The Language of Mineralogy by Matthew D. Eddy, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Matthew D. Eddy ISBN: 9781351887144
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: December 5, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Matthew D. Eddy
ISBN: 9781351887144
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: December 5, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Classification is an important part of science, yet the specific methods used to construct Enlightenment systems of natural history have proven to be the bête noir of studies of eighteenth-century culture. One reason that systematic classification has received so little attention is that natural history was an extremely diverse subject which appealed to a wide range of practitioners, including wealthy patrons, professionals, and educators. In order to show how the classification practices of a defined institutional setting enabled naturalists to create systems of natural history, this book focuses on developments at Edinburgh's medical school, one of Europe's leading medical programs. In particular, it concentrates on one of Scotland's most influential Enlightenment naturalists, Rev Dr John Walker, the professor of natural history at the school from 1779 to 1803. Walker was a traveller, cleric, author and advisor to extremely powerful aristocratic and government patrons, as well as teacher to hundreds of students, some of whom would go on to become influential industrialists, scientists, physicians and politicians. This book explains how Walker used his networks of patrons and early training in chemistry to become an eighteenth-century naturalist. Walker's mineralogy was based firmly in chemistry, an approach common in Edinburgh's medical school, but a connection that has been generally overlooked in the history of British geology. By explicitly connecting eighteenth-century geology to the chemistry being taught in medical settings, this book offers a dynamic new interpretation of the nascent earth sciences as they were practiced in Enlightenment Britain. Because of Walker's influence on his many students, the book also provides a unique insight into how many of Britain's leading Regency and Victorian intellectuals were taught to think about the composition and structure of the material world.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Classification is an important part of science, yet the specific methods used to construct Enlightenment systems of natural history have proven to be the bête noir of studies of eighteenth-century culture. One reason that systematic classification has received so little attention is that natural history was an extremely diverse subject which appealed to a wide range of practitioners, including wealthy patrons, professionals, and educators. In order to show how the classification practices of a defined institutional setting enabled naturalists to create systems of natural history, this book focuses on developments at Edinburgh's medical school, one of Europe's leading medical programs. In particular, it concentrates on one of Scotland's most influential Enlightenment naturalists, Rev Dr John Walker, the professor of natural history at the school from 1779 to 1803. Walker was a traveller, cleric, author and advisor to extremely powerful aristocratic and government patrons, as well as teacher to hundreds of students, some of whom would go on to become influential industrialists, scientists, physicians and politicians. This book explains how Walker used his networks of patrons and early training in chemistry to become an eighteenth-century naturalist. Walker's mineralogy was based firmly in chemistry, an approach common in Edinburgh's medical school, but a connection that has been generally overlooked in the history of British geology. By explicitly connecting eighteenth-century geology to the chemistry being taught in medical settings, this book offers a dynamic new interpretation of the nascent earth sciences as they were practiced in Enlightenment Britain. Because of Walker's influence on his many students, the book also provides a unique insight into how many of Britain's leading Regency and Victorian intellectuals were taught to think about the composition and structure of the material world.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Later Middle Ages in England 1216 - 1485 by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book International Trade and the Montreal Protocol by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Contemporary Esotericism by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Analytic Versus Continental by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book American Indian Education by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Sustainability and Peaceful Coexistence for the Anthropocene by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Governance, Resistance and the Post-Colonial State by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Teaching and Researching: Reading by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Learning, Creating, and Using Knowledge by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Multi-Ethnic France by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Conflict Management and Dispute Settlement in East Asia by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book The United States, India and the Global Nuclear Order by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Dealing with Clients' Emotional Problems in Life Coaching by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Lessons for Climate Change Adaptation from Better Management of Rivers by Matthew D. Eddy
Cover of the book Mongolia Today by Matthew D. Eddy
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy