History of Science

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A First View of Practical Chymistry (Chemistry), The Universal Magazine, vol. 1, December 1747

The copper-plate print and text form the first part of a “complete Course of Chemistry in several… read more »

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A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery (1764-1766)

Image:Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797. Oil on Canvas, Image from: Derby Museum & Art Gallery Public scientific lectures… read more »

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A Philosopher lecturing on the Orrery (1766)

Wright’s painting is a celebration of scientific knowledge and the interpreter of this knowledge, the philosopher. The… read more »

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A Portrait of John Whitehurst

John Whitehurst: Clockmaker, Engineer and Geologist John Whitehurst was born in Congleton, Cheshire in 1713, the son… read more »

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Introduction: Between Enlightenment and Romanticism

Alchymist in Search of the Philosopher’s Stone, (exhibited 1775, reworked 1795). Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), Oil on… read more »

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James Keir and the Geology and Industry of the Black Country: Mineralogy of the South-west part of Staffordshire, 1798

Image: The Wren’s Nest from The Black Country – Sixteen Etchings of Scenes in the Coal and Iron… read more »

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Letter from Charles Darwin to Matthew Boulton, 1777/01/13

Charles Darwin was Dr. Darwin’s son and studied medicine at Edinburgh University. Dr. Joseph Black was a… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/11/17

Darwin writes to Watt concerning their efforts to raise money for Dr. Beddoes’ Pneumatic Institute. Darwin also… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/11/30

Darwin’s second letter to Watt concerning raising funds for Dr. Beddoes’ pneumatic institute. Nov. 30-94 Derby Dear… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1795/04/02

Darwin writes to Watt about his continuing experiments with the use of gases in medicine. Darwin mentions… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1795/04/28

Darwin writes to Watt of his experiments with gases and now seems to be treating patients with… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1795/07/09

Darwin writes to Watt about one of the various law suits over the patents of Watt’s steam… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to Matthew Boulton, 1762

Darwin writes to Boulton about the experiments of Dr. Petit and Dr. Franklin —————————————- Dear Boulton Dr… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to Matthew Boulton, 1763/07/01

Darwin asks Boulton to help him with some apparatus for his scientific experiments. —————————————- Lichfield Jul. 1.… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to Matthew Boulton, 1764[?]

A detailed letter in which Darwin explains to Boulton his theory of a mechanically propelled car. —————————————-… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to Matthew Boulton, 1767/07/29

Darwin writes to Boulton of various financial matters and a recent visit to Derbyshire. —————————————- Lichfd Dear… read more »

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Letter from Erasmus Darwin to Matthew Boulton, 1794/10/08

Darwin requests Boulton help in obtaining aerated water for the treatment of a patient. —————————————- Derby Oct… read more »

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The occurrences of common life: Samuel Johnson, Practical Science and Industry in the Midlands

Image: 18th Century Birmingham trade token (n.d.). H Biggs halfpenny with a bust of Dr Samuel Johnson and… read more »

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Thomas Wedgwood: the Godfather of Photography

Image: The Alchymist in Search of the Philosopher’s Stone, (Exhibited 1771), Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797). Oil on… read more »

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