The early 1830s witnessed an extraordinary transformation in British political, literary, and intellectual life. New scientific disciplines begin to take shape, while new concepts of the natural world were hotly debated. James Secord, Director of the Darwin Correspondence Project, captures this unique moment of change by exploring key books, including Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology, Mary Somerville's Connexion of the Physical Sciences, and Thomas Carlyle's satirical work, Sartor Resartus. Set in the context of electoral reform and debates about the extension of education to meet the demands of the coming age of empire and industry, Secord shows how the books were published, disseminated, admired, attacked and satirized.
Preface ; Introduction ; 1. Fantastic Voyages: Humphry Davys Consolations in Travel ; 2. The Economy of Intelligence: Charles Babbages Reflections on the Decline of Science ; 3. The Conduct of Everyday Life: John Herschels Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy ; 4. Mathematics for the Million?: Mary Somervilles On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences ; 5. A Philosophy for a New Science: Charles Lyells Principles of Geology ; 6. The Problem of Mind: George Combes Constitution of Man ; 7. The Torch of Science: Thomas Carlyles Sartor Resartus ; Epilogue ; Chronology ; Further Reading ; Abbreviations ; Notes ; Bibliography of Works after 1900 ; Index
