Stories about the Birth of Modern Science

Abstract

Both Robert Hooke and Isaac Newton contributed greatly to the early Royal Society of London. Their exchange of letters during the 1670s played a part in Newton's formulation of the universal law of gravity. So it is not unusual to speak of them in the same breath. But the affinities between Aughton's and Jardine's subjects do not end there. Both authors are writing histories of the 'scientific revolution' for non-specialists. Since Dava Sobel's hugelysuccessful account of the development of accurate instruments to measure longitude,1 we have seen many well-written biographies of early modern thinkers, which have also served as introductions to early modern science. Driven by the increasing popularity of this genre, publishers have commissioned writers to develop stories that can be easily digested by readers unfamiliar with the history of natural philosophy. To attract and satisfy this market, writers have reverted to a technique that simplifies the intellectual, political, and cultural concerns of their biographical subjects presenting them as so-called 'fathers of modern science'. Jardine's and Aughton's works sit comfortably in this genre. In his Prologue, Aughton expresses his hope that, by understanding Newton's genius, he can discover the roots of modern knowledge: 'There are times,' Aughton declares, 'when we must