Thomas Young: Natural Philosopher 1773–1829

This 1954 biography traces the life of the famous English natural philosopher Thomas Young.

Alexander Wood (Author), Frank Oldham (Contributions by), Charles E. Raven (Contributions by)

9780521263764, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 November 2011

382 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.49 kg

Originally published in 1954, this biography was the result of many years' labour by its author, Alexander Wood. At the time of Dr Wood's death, he had completed the first ten chapters and left notes for the remaining two, which were finished by Frank Oldham. The volume traces the life of the famous English natural philosopher Thomas Young (1773–1829) from his precocious childhood through his later career as a physician and his accomplishments in the study of optics and languages. As Mr Oldham notes in the preface, 'Young forms a fascinating subject in the field of biography, not only from his amazing scientific record and his wide classical learning combined with his remarkable depth of knowledge in philosophy, but also as a humanist working disinterestedly in the cause of truth.' The book is richly illustrated and contains a memoir of the late author by his acquaintance Professor Charles E. Raven.

List of plates
List of illustrations in the text
Alex Wood - a memoir Charles E. Raven
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Early years, 1733–92
2. Medical study in London and Edinburgh, 1792–4
3. Medical study in Göttingen and Cambridge, 1795–9
4. Physician and medical author
5. The human eye
6. Professor at the Royal Institution
7. The wave theory of light is founded
8. Theory of light
9. The Rosetta Stone
10. Rival claims of Young and Champollion
11. The Encyclopaedia Britannica (1917–25)
12. Herculaneum and languages
13. Standards of length, Young and the Admiralty, life assurance
14. Nautical almanac and board of longitude
15. Events in later life
Appendix
Index of names
Index of subjects.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]