Well known as a politician and architect, Thomas Jefferson also
made important contributions to science. He was elected the third
president not only of the United States but also of that most
august of scientific clubs, the American Philosophical Society,
following in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin and David
Rittenhouse. He penned what was arguably the most important
American scientific work of the eighteenth century, Notes on the
State of Virginia. He designed architecture that promoted a healthy
mind in a healthy body and the prevention of infectious diseases,
and devised codes and a cipher machine to shield the new Republic
against threats of foreign espionage. In his new book, Martin
Clagett explores these and other achievements, returning Jefferson
to his rightful place as an innovator in the scientific realm.
"Scientific Jefferson: Revealed "explores how science shaped
Thomas Jefferson's views on politics, religion, economics, and
social developments in America. The first of all sciences for
Jefferson was agriculture, to which he was attached "by inclination
as well as by conviction that it is the most useful of occupations
of man." He introduced new and useful plants and livestock into
America and advocated the study and practice of agriculture as a
science. Perhaps most importantly, he brought forth his original
invention of the mathematically precise "Mouldboard Plough of Least
Resistance."
Clagett also highlights Jefferson's endeavors in archaeology.
Jefferson developed the scientific methodology of stratification,
which is the foundation of modern archeological techniques, and
because of this innovation, he is often called the "Father of
American Archaeology." In addition, Clagett examines Jefferson's
contributions to anthropology, ethnology, comparative linguistics,
paleontology, and medicine.
Scientific Jefferson is punctuated with color illustrations,
charts, and documents that demonstrate Jefferson's scientific
talents, interests, and accomplishments. Clagett concludes with a
broader summary of Jefferson's scientific achievements and offers a
fresh view of Monticello, the University of Virginia, and even
Jefferson's own gravestone as testimonials to his devotion to
science.
Distributed for the Office of the President of the University of
Virginia
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!