Authors:
- The only book devoted to the tragically short life of William Gascoigne and his invention of the telescopic sight and micrometer—instruments crucial to the advance of astronomy
- Provides a glimpse into the turbulent world facing a young English astronomer in the early seventeenth century and the state of optics and astronomy in his time
- Tells a captivating story of how Gascoigne’s work was gradually recovered and his achievement was rescued from oblivion, containing much correspondence that has never been published before
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library (ASSL, volume 390)
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Table of contents (18 chapters)
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Front Matter
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The Discovery of William Gascoigne
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Front Matter
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Gascoigne’s World
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Front Matter
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Digging Further
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Front Matter
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DIGGING FURTHER
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The Civil War and After
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Front Matter
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THE CIVIL WAR AND AFTER
About this book
William Gascoigne (c.1612-44) was the inventor of the telescopic sight and micrometer (instruments crucial to the advance of astronomy). His name is now known to historians of science around the world. For some considerable time after his tragic death at the age of 32 in the English Civil War, however, it seemed as if his achievements would be consigned to oblivion. Most of his papers were lost and even the few that survived have largely disappeared. This is the story of how his work was rescued. Into this story is woven an account of the state of astronomy and optics during Gascoigne’s lifetime, so that the reader can appreciate the significance of his discoveries.
Reviews
From the reviews:
“Sellers … has pulled together copious facts on the little-known astronomer William Gascoigne (c. 1612-44). Gascoigne invented the telescopic sight and micrometer, essential instruments for exact measurements in astronomy. … The book surveys Gascoigne’s life, including the effects of his era’s religious and political climate on his education and development. … Summing Up: Recommended. Specialist audiences including researchers/faculty and professionals.” (M.-K. Hemenway, Choice, Vol. 50 (6), February, 2013)
“Sellers’ book gives a good account of what is known of Gascoigne’s work, and also sets the man in his times. … historians of astronomy will find it extremely useful. This book has clearly been a labour of love, and it fills an important gap in the history of English astronomy. … Sellers has probably told us all that we can hope to learn about William Gascoigne.” (Alan Batten, Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, Vol. 16 (1), 2013)
"David Sellers has done a splendid job of bringing Gascoigne into broader scholarly understanding...What I believe makes this book especially valuable is its author's meticulousness as an archival historian, and the large body of primary research data upon which it stands." -Allan Chapman, The Observatory October 2013
Authors and Affiliations
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Leeds, United Kingdom
David Sellers
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: In Search of William Gascoigne
Book Subtitle: Seventeenth Century Astronomer
Authors: David Sellers
Series Title: Astrophysics and Space Science Library
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4097-0
Publisher: Springer New York, NY
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media New York 2012
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4614-4096-3Published: 03 August 2012
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4899-9574-2Published: 19 September 2014
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4614-4097-0Published: 09 August 2012
Series ISSN: 0067-0057
Series E-ISSN: 2214-7985
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: X, 222
Topics: Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, History of Science, Classical Electrodynamics