It is the great prerogative of mankind above other creatures, that we are not only able to behold the. This book by robert hooke is about his observations through various magnifying lenses. Osullivan and schmitz describe it as an abnormally small handwriting that is. Samuel pepys, perhaps among the shiniest stars whose imprimatur was like a royal blessing, said the book was the most.
Etching was the best way to make a books illustration in hookes time. View images from this item 23 robert hooke 16351703 was not only a scientist, he was a mapmaking pioneer, architect, astronomer, biologist and ingenious experimenter. It is his most famous work, and is notable for the stunning illustrations, drawn by hooke himself. How to write a preface to an autobiography our pastimes. The project gutenberg ebook of micrographia, by robert hooke. Micrographia some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon language. Micrographia, or, some physiological descriptions of. Robert hookes micrographia is one of my favourite restoration books, written by one of my favourite restoration gentlemen. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The preface is very similar to the foreword, except that the preface is written by the books author.
First published in 1665, it contains largescale, finely detailed illustrations of some of the specimens hooke viewed under the microscopes he designed. His book micrographia shown here, was the first important work on microscopy the study of minute objects by means of a microscope. This is a new and freshly published edition of this culturally important work by robert hooke, which is now, at last, again available to you. Micrographia or some physiological descriptions of. Think about the various ways the book would have appealed to the lay reader. The preface of a book contains information written by the author to provide the reader with significant information andor background on the book s contents. Hooke described in detail the structure of feathers, the stinger of a bee, the radula, or tongue, of mollusks, and the. Hookes preface expresses a modest hope for his work. Written by the author, a preface is meant to draw readers in by offering information about the authors experience writing the book, the inspiration behind the subject matter, the writing process, the purpose of the story, and historical context for the material. Apr 14, 2016 the preface is a place for the books author to tell the reader how this book came into being, and why.
Jan 11, 2020 micrographia by robert hooke 1635 1703 genres. Among its drawings and observations is this famous and. With usual stamps and markings, in fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Micrographia by robert hooke read by various part full. In his work for micrographia this brilliant man explored the microscopic world, drew what he saw and theorized about it, so that his book goes far beyond being a mere descriptive presentation of what he saw through his microscope. Micrographia some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon robert hooke. The first popular science book in the world is 350 years old this year and it was a volume devoted to the world of the microscope, aptly titled micrographia. Finally available, a high quality book of the original classic edition of micrographia. This work was published before january 1, 1925, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago. According to hook there exists in common air a certain substance which is like, if not the very same. The main reason that anyone would want micrographia is for the pictures, im not sure what the people who typeset this book were thinking. It is particularly notable for being the first book to illustrate insects, plants etc.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. The micrographia is the first book in english to illustrate observations made under the microscope. Astronomy in world history by the means of telescopes, there is nothing so far distant but may be represented to our view. A polished copper plate was coated with an acidresistant. The illustrations are one of the main attractions of the book fantastically detailed and beautifully executed, they still have the same power to impress today as they. The project gutenberg ebook, micrographia, by robert hooke. Micrographia is a large book, measuring almost twelve inches tall and weighing three pounds. Because the preface is part of a books front matter the pages at the start of a book with roman numeral page numbers, its often confused with the foreword and the introduction. First published in 1664, the book contains beautiful illustrations of some of the specimens hooke viewed under the microscopes that he designed. The pictures, enormous foldout pages in the original work are tiny, they dont even fill a single page. Consider the contribution of the microscope, micrographia andor more broadly the royal society in london, to the modern science of the 17th century. Hooke had to ply the ant with brandy to keep it still long enough for him to draw. A preface is an introductory section of a book that comes before the main text. Mar 29, 2005 micrographia some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon language.
Micrographia, or, some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. This is a disappointing reproduction of the original work. Its often viewed as an apologia which is not so much an apology as an explanation or defense of why the book exists.
The preface is usually located at the front of the book. As the first major publication of the royal society in january, 1665, it inspired a wide public interest in the new science of microscopy. The content can take up a single page or a small section of pages. Librivox recording of micrographia by robert hooke. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. This book, micrographia, was the first important work on microscopy, the study of minute objects through a microscope. If i have contributed the meanest foundations whereon others may raise nobler superstructures, i am. The micrographia, which is the latin word for little pictures, was published in 1665 under the auspices of the royal society, whose coat of arms features on the titlepage see first image. There were only three issues of the original plates. The preface is also an important selling tool for the book. In the preface he grounds his process with two basic tools, a sincere hand. Micrographia is an acquired disorder that features abnormally small, cramped handwriting or the progression to progressively smaller handwriting. Hooke, micrographia 1665 hunt institute for botanical. Hookes wonderful discoveries by the microscope, reprinted and fully explained.
It is a good idea to include a preface in your autobiography because the preface serves as an introduction to your life history. And as this is the peculiar priviledge of humane nature in general, so is it capable. Published in january 1665, the first major publication of the royal society, it became the first scientific bestseller. This is an exlibrary book and may have the usual libraryusedbook markings inside. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. In the preface to his micrographia, robert hooke asserts that he has discovered a new visible world through the help of newly invented optical devices that add artificial organs to the natural. The only way which now remains for us to recover some degree of the former perfections, adams perfect knowledge before the fall seems to be, by. That of a louse holding on to a human hair is nearly two feet across. The preface is generally one to two pages that tell your reader the history behind your autobiography. Robert hooke at the end of his 28page preface to micrographia 1 1665 ive written elsewhere in this blog about robert hooke, and how, if there had somehow and impossibly been no newton, he mightve taken sir isaacs place in the popular mind. And as this is the peculiar priviledge of humane nature in general, so is it capable of being so far advanced by the helps of art, and experience, as to make some men excel others in. Hook, in 1665, in his micrographia, approaches still nearer to that of lavoisier than the theory of rey, and indeed, so far as he has explained it, the coincidence is exact. The only way which now remains for us to recover some degree of the former.
Micrographia by robert hooke london, 1665 posted on 27 march 20 by felicityhen unless youre lucky enough to be an academic or a rare books librarian you probably dont get much opportunity to read copies of the books hooke had in his library. By the council of the royal society of london for improving of natural knowledge. He was a founding member and curator of experiments at the royal society, an academy at the cutting edge of scientific discovery. Micrographia or some physiological descriptions of minute. By virtue of having detailed images, micrographia was available to virtually the entire population and added to the public desire to stay abreast with new developments and discuss them in a public sphere that extends beyond just though i. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Hookes book came about through his involvement in the royal society in london. It is the great prerogative of mankind above other creatures, that we are not only able to behold the works of nature, or barely to sustein our lives by them, but we have also the power of considering, comparing, altering, assisting, and improving them to various uses. The picture of the flea shown above is one of his most famous images. It is unusual in the breadth of its coverage it lists all of the known lifeforms on earth under the headings of the phyla of the five kingdoms system of classification, and excellent in its concise, informationdense text, its clear diagrams and well chosen micrographs of the creatures selected as. Apparently micrographia helped to bring science into the interest of the wide public for the first time. A preface, which is included in the front matter of a book, is your chance to speak directly to your readers about why you wrote the book, what its about, and why its important. Micrographia, or, some physiological descriptions of minute.
It was printed in october 1664, and when bound copies appeared on sale the following year it became an instant bestseller. It is commonly associated with neurodegenerative disorders of the basal ganglia, such as in parkinsons disease, but it has also been ascribed to subcortical focal lesions. Micrographia by robert hooke, 1665 the british library. The preface also includes a technical discussion of microscopes and hookes own inventions.
I prepare a pretty capaceous bolthead a b, with a small stem about two foot and a half long d c. A preface is an introductory passage written about a book by its author. Published in january 1665, the first major publication of the royal. Drpgould, availle, nuria, deongines, majorhistory, jim cooper. Micrographia by hooke, robert and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. University of reading 2008 page 3 the micrographia, which is the latin word for little pictures, was published in 1665 under the auspices of the royal society, whose coat of arms features on the titlepage see first image. Hooke, robert, 16351703 allestry, james, 1670 martyn, john, active 16491680 type. Unless youre lucky enough to be an academic or a rare books. The work begins with a preface on the state and aims of contemporary science, in. As he says in his preface, the microscope and the telescope allow us to. Micrographia robert hooke 1635 1703 published in 1665, this is the first publication of the royal society and considered to be the first scientific bestseller. Fellow of this society, entituled, micrographia, or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies, made by magnifying glasses, with observations and inquiries thereupon, be printed by john martyn, and james allestry, printers to the said society. The preface is a place for the books author to tell the reader how this book came into being, and why.
It should build credibility for the author and the book. Micrographia the original classic editionnook book. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Published in 1665, this is the first publication of the royal society and considered to be the first scientific bestseller. Robert hookes micrographia is best known for its greatly magnified views of. Use micrographiaas an introduction to the new royal society in london. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Many books dont require one, especially works of fiction, but if youre wondering how to write a preface, heres an overview. Micrographia is a historically significant book by robert hooke about his observations through various lenses. Mar 08, 2019 this work was published before january 1, 1925, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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