Science City : Craft, Commerce and Curiosity in London 1550-1800

An accessible yet enlightening handbook exploring London's rich history as a world-leading city of science.

Many cities around the world could claim to have a rich scientific history. However, between 1550 and 1800, London fostered its very own particular brand of scientific enquiry and practice. Science City explores how science shaped London, and London shaped science, as Britain''s new capital grew to become a powerful world city, a nexus of administration for ambitious scientific projects and a place to obtain exceptional scientific equipment. This richly illustrated book accompanies Science City 1550-1800: The Linbury Gallery at the Science Museum, London, scheduled to open in the autumn of 2019.Introduction: Science CityChapter 1: A New Trade in London, 1550-1650Chapter 2: Experiment and the City, 1660-1727Chapter 3: Public Science in London, 1720-1790Chapter 4: Science in a World City, 1745-1800Chapter 5: Making Instruments Today: An Interview with Joanna MigdalChapter 6: Experimental Science Today: The Role of the Royal SocietyChapter 7: London Today: Inspiring FuturesEndnotesFurther readingAcknowledgementsAuthor biographiesIndex