Title
The personality of Henry Cavendish - a great scientist with extraordinary peculiarities [electronic resource] / Russell McCormmach.
ISBN
9783319024387 electronic book
3319024388 electronic book
9783319024370
Published
Cham : Springer, 2014.
Language
English
Description
1 online resource.
Item Number
10.1007/978-3-319-02438-7 doi
Call Number
QC7
Dewey Decimal Classification
530.092
Summary
Profiles the eminent 18th century natural philosopher Henry Cavendish, best known for his work in chemistry and physics and one of the most baffling personalities in the history of science. In these chapters we are introduced to the psychology of science and of scientists and we learn about Cavendishs life and times. His personality is examined from two perspectives: one is that he had a less severe form of autism, as has been claimed; the other is that he was eccentric and a psychological disorder was absent. Henry Cavendish lived a life of science, possibly more completely than any other figure in the history of science: a wealthy aristocrat, he became a dedicated scientist. This study brings new information and a new perspective to our understanding of the man. The scientific and non-scientific sides of his life are brought closer together, as the author traces topics including his appearance, speech, wealth, religion and death as well as Cavendishs life of natural philosophy where objectivity and accuracy, writing and recognition all played a part. The author traces aspects of Cavendishs personality, views and interpretations of him, and explores notions of eccentricity and autism before detailing relevant aspects of the travels made by our subject. The author considers the question How do we talk about Cavendish? and provides a useful summary of Cavendishs travels. This book will appeal to a wide audience, from those interested in 18th century history or history of science, to those interested in incidences of autism in prominent figures from history. This volume contains ample relevant illustrations, several interesting appendices and it includes a useful index and bibliography.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references.
Access Note
Access limited to authorized users.
Source of Description
Description based on print version record.
Series
Archimedes (Dordrecht, Netherlands) ; v.36.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface
Part I. He Always Knew What Was Right for Him
1. The Person
2. Normality, Abnormality, and Scientists
3. Everyday Life
4. Life of Natural Philosophy
5. Aspects of Personality
6. Views of Cavendish
7.Eccentricity
8. Autism
9. Conclusion
Part II.He Saw What Interested Him
10. The Traveler
Appendix 1. Journal of 1785
Appendix 2.Cavendish and Grey Family Trees
Appendix 3. Letters between Brothers: Henry and Frederick Cavendish
Appendix 4. Cavendishs Houses: Clapham Common and Bedford Square
Appendix 5. Cavendishes, Lowthers, and Holker Hall.-Appendix 6.Autism
Appendix 7. Physical Theory and Theory of Autism
Bibliography
Index.
