Jefferson And Science

by Bedini, Silvio A.

• ISBN13: 9781882886197
• ISBN10: 1882886194
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-10-01
• Publisher: Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Summary

Though we most often think of Jefferson as president and statesman, he is also recognized, in the words of the late Dumas Malone, "as an American pioneer in numerous branches of science, notably paleontology, ethnology, geography, and botany." In this fascinating book, Silvio Bedini, the acknowledged authority on Jefferson's "supreme delight" in the sciences, explores his wide-ranging mathematical and scientific pursuits. Taught surveying by his map-making father, Jefferson developed an interest in measurement and observation at an early age. He was captivated not only by the topography around him, but also by the stars and planets in the heavens above and by the minerals, fossils, artifacts, and plants in the soil below. Known internationally as a man of learning and as the long-serving president of the American Philosophical Society, Jefferson read widely, corresponded with other science enthusiasts worldwide, promoted scientific exploration--most notably, the Lewis and Clark expedition--andperformed his own diverse experiments. Painting a broad picture of Jefferson as scientist, this book offers a captivating new look at one of America's great Renaissance men.

Table of Contents

Preface	9	(6)
Donald Fleming
Introduction	15	(2)
Surveying	17	(12)
Meteorology	29	(6)
Astronomy	35	(6)
The American Philosophical Society	41	(3)
Science in Europe	44	(3)
Notes on the State of Virginia	47	(4)
Ethnology	51	(6)
Health and Medicine	57	(3)
Paleontology	60	(5)
Exploration and Discovery	65	(6)
Invention	71	(13)
Botany	84	(3)
Horology	87	(5)
Agriculture	92	(8)
The University of Virginia	100	(8)
Notes	108	(9)
Bibliography	117	(5)
Index	122