Cambridge Scientific Minds

A portrait of some of the most eminent scientists associated with the University of Cambridge.

Peter Harman (Edited by), Simon Mitton (Edited by)

9780521781008, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 January 2002

352 pages, 14 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.69 kg

'… strong on context … The book can be recommended to anyone wanting to get an overview of the history of science … this is a book that will be read with pleasure and advantage …' Ambix

Since the 'scientific revolution' of the seventeenth century, a great number of distinguished scientists and mathematicians have been associated with the University of Cambridge. Cambridge Scientific Minds provides a portrait of some of the most eminent scientists associated with the University over the past 400 years, including accounts of the work of three of the greatest figures in the entire history of science, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and James Clerk Maxwell. The chronological balance reflects the increasing importance of science in the recent history of the University. The book comprises personal memoirs and historical essays, including contributions by leading Cambridge scientists. Cambridge Scientific Minds will be of interest not only to graduates of the University, science students and historians of science, but to anyone wishing to gain an insight into some of the greatest scientific minds in history.

Introduction Peter Harman
1. William Gilbert Stephen Pumfrey
2. William Harvey Andrew Cunningham
3. Isaac Newton Rupert Hall
4. William Whewell Richard Yeo
5. Adam Sedgwick David Oldroyd
6. Charles Babbage Anthony Hyman
7. Charles Darwin Peter Bowler
8. Stokes and Kelvin David Wilson
9. James Clerk Maxwell Simon Schaffer
10. Russell and Whitehead Ivor Grattan-Guinness
11. Thomson and Rutherford Brian Pippard
12. Gowland Hopkins Harmke Kamminga
13. Sherrington and Adrian Tilli Tansey
14. Hardy and Littlewood Robin Wilson
15. Arthur Eddington Malcolm Longair
16. Paul Dirac Helge Kragh
17. Alan Turing Andrew Hodges
18. Crick and Watson Robert Olby
19. Mary Cartwright Tom Körner
20. Joseph Needham Gregory Blue
21. Molecular biology Max Perutz
22. Radioastronomy Antony Hewish
23. Stephen Hawking Simon Mitton.

Subject Areas: Popular science [PDZ], History of science [PDX]