English Naturalists from Neckam to Ray: A Study of the Making of the Modern World

by Charles E. Raven

Overview

C. E. Raven (1885–1964) was an academic theologian elected Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge in 1932, who developed an interest in natural history and the history of scientific thought. First published in 1947, this volume demonstrates how changing attitudes to the natural world reflected and influenced the transformations in scientific thought between the medieval period and the eighteenth century. Raven's focus on the field of 'natural history' reveals how the scientific ideas behind modern biological studies developed from the richly illustrated and often fantastical bestiaries of the medieval world. The subjects of this volume are grouped chronologically into Pioneers, Explorers and Popularisers, with biographical details woven together with discussions of their academic work. The book provided a wealth of new information concerning the founders of natural history and remains a valuable contribution to this subject.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108016346
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/31/2010
Series:	Cambridge Library Collection - Botany and Horticulture
Pages:	394
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.87(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; A. The Prelude: 1. Nature and medieval science; 2. Nature and medieval art; B. The Pioneers: 3. The men of the Renaissance; 4. William Turner: his training; 5. William Turner in exile; 6. William Turner in maturity; 7. William Turner, scientist; 8. John Caius and the Rariorum Animalium; 9. Thomas Penny the botanist; 10. Thomas Mouffet and the Theatrum Insectorum; C. The Popularisers: 11. Harrison, Batman and Lyte; 12. John Gerard; 13. Edward Topsell; D. The Explorers: 14. The dawn of the 'New Philosophy'; 15. John Parkinson; 16. Thomas Johnson and his friends; 17. William How and Christopher Merret; E. Epilogue: 18. The coming of modern man: Religio Medici; Indexes.