In this book the diverse objects of the Whipple Museum of the History of Science's internationally renowned collection are brought into sharp relief by a number of highly regarded historians of science in fourteen essays. Each chapter focuses on a specific instrument or group of objects, ranging from an English medieval astrolabe to a modern agricultural 'seed source indicator' to a curious collection of plaster chicken heads. The contributors employ a range of historiographical and methodological approaches to demonstrate the various ways in which the material culture of science can be researched and understood. The essays show how the study of scientific objects - including instruments and models - offers a window into cultures of scientific practice not afforded by textual sources alone. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

A life of Moore, 17th-century mathematician and scientist involved in the draining of the fens, the building of the mole at Tangier, and the foundation of the Royal Observatory. Sir Jonas Moore (1617-79) - practical mathematician, teacher, author, surveyor, cartographer, Ordnance Officer, courtier and patron of astronomy -had a remarkable career, and was one of the first to make a substantial fortune frommathematical practice. Dr Willmoth follows his progress to a knighthood, membership of the Royal Society, and favour at the court of Charles II; she assesses his contribution to the draining of the Great Level (under Cornelius Vermuyden) and the building of the Mole at Tangier, and records how, as Surveyor-General of the Ordnance, he became a patron of the new Royal Observatory at Greenwich. Her researches illustrate the changing views of mathematics at the time, and reinforce the argument for the 17th-century `scientific revolution'. FRANCES WILLMOTH is currently working on an edition of John Flamsteed's correspondence. [East Anglian] Study of the life and varied career of SirJonas Moore (1617-79) - practical mathematician, teacher, author, surveyor, cartographer, Ordnance Officer, courtier and patron of astronomy - who was involved in the draining of the Great Level in the Fens.

Papers examining different aspects of John Flamsteed's career as the first `astronomer royal'. John Flamsteed played a leading role in English astronomy for nearly half a century, from his appointment as `astronomical observator' to Charles II and first director of the new Royal Observatory at Greenwich, in 1675, through five successive reigns until his death on the last day of 1719. The Observatory's innovative instruments enabled him to plot the movements of the heavenly bodies with unprecedented accuracy, but he was also in correspondence with other astronomers, participating in the controversies of the day and caught up in a lengthy rivalry with Isaac Newton and Edmond Halley - reflected in the complex publishing history of the Historia Coelestis, detailed here. This book confirms Flamsteed's achievements as astronomer, mathematician, instrument maker and writer on optics, and also discusses more personal issues such as his relations with the Royal Society, his pursuit of professional recognition, and the friction between him and his eventual successor Halley. FRANCES WILLMOTH gained her Ph.D. for her biography of Flamsteed's patron, Sir Jonas Moore. Contributors: JIM BENNETT, FRANCES WILLMOTH, MORDECHAI FEINGOLD,ADRIAN JOHNS, HESTER HIGTON, ROB ILIFFE, IAN G. STEWART, OWEN GINGERICH, ALAN COOK, WILLIAM J. ASHWORTH, ADAM PERKINS