Richard S. Westfall

Richard S. Westfall (April 22, 1924 – August 21, 1996) was an American academic, biographer and historian of science. He is best known for his biography of Isaac Newton and his work on the scientific revolution of the 17th century. Quotes The past two decades have witnessed a concentrated exploration of Newton’s manuscripts. More than anything else, this factor has set the tone of recent Newtonian scholarship. However, one major section of his papers remains almost totally unknown. The great bulk of Newton’s theological papers have become available only recently. Lost from public view after the auction in 1936, they have come to rest at last as the Yahuda Papers in the National Library of Israel Jewish National and University library in Jerusalem. Frank E. Manuel Professor Manuel used them in the preparation of his recent Religion of Isaac Newton (Oxford, 1974), but with his attention focused on Newton rather than the manuscripts, Professor Manuel did not attempt to offer a guide to their content. Such a guide, not confined to the Yahuda Papers but inevitably concentrating heavily upon them since they are the major collection, is what I hope to present in this paper. Bechler, Zev Newton’s theological manuscripts by Richard S. Westfall Contemporary Newtonian Research 129–143 Studies in the History of Modern Science, vol. 9 Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 1982 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-009-7715-0_4 books.google link Inevitably mathematics figured prominently in hydraulic engineering ... As a young man, Blaise Pascal engaged for a time in draining a marsh. ... Jean Picard not only measured the Earth; he also worked extensively at supplying water for the fountains at Palace of Versailles Versailles. Ole Roemer did a similar task for his native Copenhagen ... Luigi Guido Grandi Guido Grandi, who introduced the calculus into Italy, became the director of hydraulics in Tuscany and was involved in the drainage of the Valdichiana Chiana valley and the Pontine Marshes Pontine marshes ... Chapter 4. Science and technology during the Scientific Revolution: an empirical approach by Richard S. Westfall Renaissance and Revolution. Humanists, scholars, craftsmen and natural philosophers in early modern Europe 1997 63–72 https://books.google.com/books?id=n851-zWbFccC&pg=PA68 (quote from p. 68; 291 pages; edited by Judith V. Field & Frank A. J. L. James; 1st published in 1993) Never at Rest (1980) In writing Newton's biography, I have attempted, in accordance with my understanding of biography as a literary form, to avoid composing an essay on Newtonian science. At the same time I have sought to make Newton the scientist the central character of my drama. Preface External links Category:1996 deaths Category:Authors from the United States Category:Historians of science Category:Academics from the United States Category:Biographers from the United States Category:People from Colorado Category:California Institute of Technology faculty Category:Yale University alumni Category:Bloggers from the United States