Bibliographical history of electricity & magnetism : chronologically arranged / Researches into the domain of the early sciences, especially from the period of the revival of scholasticism, with biographical and other accounts of the most distinguished natural philosophers throughout the middle ages, comp. by Paul Fleury Mottelay ; with introduction by the late Prof. Silvanus P. Thompson and foreword by Sir R.T. Glazebrook.

  • Mottelay, Paul Fleury, 1841-
Date:
1922
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Bibliographical history of electricity & magnetism : chronologically arranged / Researches into the domain of the early sciences, especially from the period of the revival of scholasticism, with biographical and other accounts of the most distinguished natural philosophers throughout the middle ages, comp. by Paul Fleury Mottelay ; with introduction by the late Prof. Silvanus P. Thompson and foreword by Sir R.T. Glazebrook. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    FOREWORD Thales, 600-580 B.C., the discoverer of frictional electricity, follows. The Crusaders wrote of the magnet. A facsimile page is o-iven of Vincent de Beauvais’ Speculum Naturale, and Gauthier d’Espinois, who lived about a.d. 1250, sang to his mistress : “Tout autresi (ainsi) comme l’aimant degoit (detourne) L’aigulette pas force de vertu A ma dame tot le mont (monde) retennue Qui sa beaute connoit et apergoit.,; And when one passes to more recent years, there is not a name one knows omitted from the list. There are also many included who all contributed in some way to the growth of natural know¬ ledge, but who can only be known to the few, the very few, who have burrowed in past records scattered far and wide with the perseverance, the patience, and the skill of Dr. Mottelay. And he has discovered interesting facts without number, and at the same time has supported his case with full references to original works. To the question, How can I find out what—some unknown writer—has written about Electricity ? there can in future be but one answer: Look him up in Dr. Mottelay’s Bibliographical History. Our debt to the author is no small one ; our regrets that he is not here to be gratified by the reception his book must meet with are deep and sincere. The Great War delayed the issue of the book. The public are indebted to Messrs. C. Griffin & Co., Ltd., for bringing out a work of the kind under the difficulties which all scientific publications have met with since 1918, and Dr. Mottelay realized to the full the value of the assistance they gave him. I trust with confidence that electricians thrbughout the world (for the interest of the book is world-wide) will not be slow to show their appreciation of the work of all those who have combined to render them so marked a service. R. T. Glazebrook.