Huygens: The Man behind the Principle

This biography details the life and work of the seventeenth-century Dutch mathematician and physicist, Christiaan Huygens (1629–95).

C. D. Andriesse (Author), Sally Miedema (Translated by)

9780521181433, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 February 2011

476 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm, 0.63 kg

Review of the hardback: 'This biography by C. D. Andriesse … brings a wealth of newly translated information, making it the richest source of information in English about the seventeenth-century Dutch polymath. … Andriesse's book is a fascinating account …' Nature

Huygens: The Man behind the Principle is the story of the great seventeenth-century Dutch mathematician and physicist Christiaan Huygens (1629–95). This comprehensive biography describes in detail how Huygens arrived at discoveries and inventions that are often wrongly ascribed to Newton. Huygens played a key role in the 'scientific revolution', and the Huygens Principle on the wave theory of light helped establish his reputation. The discovery of Saturn's rings and the invention of the pendulum clock made him so famous that he was invited to be the first director of the French Academy of Science, but his life as director teetered on the edge of powerlessness. Despite Huygens' many achievements no complete biography had previously been published in English. This book gives scientists and historians the opportunity to learn more about all aspects of Huygens' life while bringing his story to a wider audience.

Preface
A commemoration
1. Titan
2. Father
3. Mother
4. Family portrait
5. Student
6. Collisions
7. Saturn
8. Force
9. Temperament
10. Weight
11. Crisis
12. Light
13. Dismissal
14. Orphan
15. Heaven
References
Bibliography
Further reading.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH], Astronomy, space & time [PG], History of science [PDX]