Does the natural world divide neatly into 'animal, vegetable, mineral'? Discoveries in the 18th century threw the question wide open; debates raged, and fed into wider religious and political battles concerning God's creation and the natural social order.
Despite its modest size the Cambridge Philosophical Society has played a monumental role in the history of science. To mark the bicentenary of its founding in 1819, Susannah Gibson gives a vivid account of the illustrious (and sometimes eccentric) members of the society, their breakthrough discoveries, and the forging of modern science.
The biography explores the lives and influence of the Bluestockings, a group of women intellectuals who significantly shaped the cultural landscape of eighteenth-century Britain. It highlights their contributions to literature and social thought, showcasing their pioneering spirit and the challenges they faced in a male-dominated society. Through their stories, the book uncovers the lasting legacy of these remarkable women and their impact on future generations.
A captivating biography of the Bluestockings, revealing the lives and the legacy of this circle of women intellectuals who blazed a trail through eighteenth-century Britain.