The Life and Work of James Bradley : The New Foundations of 18th Century Astronomy

The Life and Work of James Bradley: The New Foundations of 18th Century Astronomy is the first major work on the life and achievements of James Bradley for 190 years. This book offers a new perspective and new interpretations of previously published materials, together with various insights about recently researched sources. This book is a complete account of the life and work of Bradley as discerned from surviving documents of his working archive, as well as other documents and records. In addition, it offers a new interpretation of Bradley's work as an astronomer, not merely from his observations of Jupiter and Saturn and their satellites and annual aberration and the nutation of the Earth's axis, but also his corroborative work with pendulums and other horological work with George Graham. It also explores the little amount documented about his private life including a degree of speculation about his personal relationships. This work on 18th century astronomy is intended for students of the history of science, astronomy and 18th century English society, and for scholars seeking new lines of inquiry. It contains an extensive bibliography and a detailed chronology, both of which offer support for further reading and research. Cover Title Copyright Page Dedication Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Contents List of Illustrations Introduction: Contexts and Connections 1 The King's Observator 2 May It Please Your Honours 3 An Ingenious Young Man 4 A New Discovered Motion 5 And Yet It Moves 6 The Laws of Nature 7 On the Figure of the Earth 8 The Triumph of Themistocles 9 If Such a Man Could Have Enemies 10 Observations Beyond Compare 11 Fundamenta Astronomi"00E6 Conclusion: The Man Who Moved the World APPENDI X 1A Chronology of the Life and Work of JamesBradley (1692–1762), DD, FRS, ThirdAstronomer Royal of England APPENDI X 2The Aberration Papers of James Bradley APPENDI X 3Two Transitional Aberration Documents:Transcribed and edited by John Fisher Bibliography of the Primary and Secondary Sources Picture Credits Index