Thomas Browne and the Writing of Early Modern Science

by Claire Preston

Overview

Claire Preston argues that Thomas Browne's work can be fully understood only within the range of disciplines and practices associated with natural philosophy and early writing on subjects ranging from medicine and botany to archaeology and antiquarianism. Preston examines how the developing essay form, the discourse of scientific experiment, and, above all, Bacon's model of intellectual progress and cooperation determined the unique character of Browne's contributions to early modern literature, science and philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521107792
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/29/2009
Pages:	268
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Claire Preston is Fellow and Lecturer in English, Sidney Sussex College, and Newton Trust Lecturer, Faculty of English, University of Cambridge.

Table of Contents

1. Browne's civility; 2. Religio Medici: the junior endeavour; 3. The civil monument: Pseudodoxia Epidemica and investigative culture; 4. The laureate of the grave: Urne-Buriall and the failure of memory; 5. The jocund cabinet and the melancholy museum: a brief excursion into Brownean comedy; 6. The epitome of the earth: The Garden of Cyrus and verdancy; 7. The fruits of natural knowledge: the fugitive writings, and a conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

"In this loving and robust account, Preston firmly grounds Browne's writing in the social history of natural philosophy and, like salt of the earth, adds new flavors and accents to our impression of the early modern world...The book proves enormously rewarding in its range of inquiry, and it will no doubt be especially enjoyable for those salts of the earth who may already have a loving appreciation for the many dimensions of Thomas Browne." - Colin Milburn, University of California, Davis

"The strongest part of this book is Preston's clear committment to a careful and thoughtful reading of Thomas Browne's works." - Renaissance Quarterly Allison B. Kavley, John Jay College, The City University of New York

From the Publisher