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A man for all seasons
WILL PODMORE recommends an excellent and useful introduction to a lesser-known giant of the scientific revolution in Britain
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS: (L to R) Church of St Mary Magdalene at Willen, Milton Keynes, designed by Hooke; An illustration of a flea “made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon, 1665”; a drawing of Saturn by Robert Hooke, 1666
[Chris Nyborg/CC; Public Domain]
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Robert Hooke’s experimental philosophy
Felicity Henderson, Reaktion Books, £17.95
ROBERT HOOKE (1635-1703) was one of the key figures in the development of science in Britain. This excellent study, illustrated with Hooke’s own drawings and diagrams, and with pictures of instruments he designed, expounds Hooke’s approach to science.
He was one of the first to see that the new experimental philosophy – what we today call science – had the potential to improve human life beyond recognition.
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