Stephen Hales
An Eighteenth Century Biography

Originally published in 1929, this book presents a comprehensive biography of the clergyman, scientific pioneer and philanthropist Stephen Hales (1677–1761).

A. E. Clark-Kennedy (Author)

9781107475229, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 February 2015

296 pages
21.7 x 14 x 1.8 cm, 0.41 kg

Originally published in 1929, this book presents a comprehensive biography of the clergyman, scientific pioneer and philanthropist Stephen Hales (1677–1761). Aimed at the general reader, together with botanists and physiologists, the text was produced upon instruction from the Masters and Fellows of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Hales. Illustrative figures and notes are incorporated throughout. This is a highly readable book that will be of value to anyone with an interest in the life and works of Hales or the history of science.

1. The family of Hales. Corpus Christi College. The Master and Fellows. Election to a fellowship. Holy orders. The University of Cambridge. William Stukeley. A country living
2. Animal physiology. Blood pressure. Cardiac output. Blood flow through the tissues. Muscular movement. The spinal reflex
3. Perpetual curate of Teddington. Parish work. Rector of Farringdon. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
4. The physiology of plants. The flow of sap. Transpiration and capillarity. Root pressure. Papers to the Royal Society
5. Science and religion. The growth of plants. The ossification of bone. Marriage. His wife dies
6. Respiration and combustion. The nutrition of plants. Free and fixed air. The function of the leaves. Rebreathing experiments. Carbon dioxide. Publishes Vegetable Statics
7. The distemper of the stone. Publishes Haemastatics. The gin laws. Mrs Stephens's medicines. The Copley medal
8. A trustee of the colony of Georgia. Philosophical Experiments. Purification of water. Disinfection with sulphur. Preservation of meat. A sea-gauge
9. The ventilation of ships. The slave trade. Experiments by the Admiralty
10. The progress of Georgia. Prohibition of rum and slavery. Financial difficulties. To be surrendered to the Spaniards? The trustees relinquish the charter
11. The ventilation of prisons. The gaol distemper. Newgate and the Savoy
12. Old age. Later years at Teddington. The Royal Society of Arts. Applied science. His international reputation. A royal appointment
13. The Seven Years' War. The last experiment. Death and burial
Index.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]