The Life of William Scoresby

Written by the subject's nephew, this 1861 biography recounts the intriguing life of Arctic scientist and clergyman William Scoresby junior.

R. E. Scoresby-Jackson (Author)

9781108041317, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 December 2011

430 pages, 4 b/w illus. 4 colour illus. 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 2.4 cm, 0.54 kg

Robert Scoresby-Jackson (1833–67), physician and geographer, was the grandson of Arctic explorer and whaler William Scoresby senior, and nephew to Arctic explorer, scientist, clergyman and social reformer William Scoresby junior (1789–1857). First published in 1861, this biography recounts the many years the younger Scoresby spent exploring the northern seas, and his life after his trips to the Arctic ceased. Scoresby entered the Anglican church in 1822, and went on to work in several parishes across England. The book also describes Scoresby's personal tragedies, his efforts towards social reform, and his important research on magnetism, on which he worked for much of his adult life. The appendix includes a list of his publications, the honours bestowed on him, and an extract from his will bequeathing some of his most valued instruments to the public museum at Whitby, the home port for his and his father's early whaling expeditions.

Preface
1. 1789–1802. Ancestry
2. 1803–7. Apprentice with his father
3. 1807. Story of his voyage to Copenhagen
4. 1808–10. Introduction to Sir Joseph Banks
5. 1811–15. Marriage
6. 1815–17. Visit to London
7. 1817–18. Revival of the Arctic expeditions
8. 1819–20. Commences his work on the Arctic regions
9. 1821–2. Voyage of 1821
10. 1822. Retreat of the whale to the east coast of Greenland
11. 1824. Sir Walter Scott
12. 1824–7. Obstacles
13. 1827–38. Mariner's Church
14. 1839–47. Degree of D.D.
15. 1847–53. Second visit to America
16. Various years. Magnetical investigations
17. 1855–7. Voyage to Australia for magnetic research
Appendix.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]