David Rittenhouse / / Brooke Hindle.

• VerfasserIn: Hindle, Brooke,
• Place / Publishing House: Princeton, NJ : : Princeton University Press, , [2017]; ©1964
• Year of Publication: 2017
• Language: English
• Series: Princeton Legacy Library ; 5061
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (416 p.)

One of the great figures of the American Enlightenment, David Rittenhouse of Pennsylvania rose from his work as a mechanic and clockmaker of exquisite craftsmanship to informed, careful astronomy and effective experimental work in optics, magnetism, and psychology. This book shows how he applied his scientific ability to public projects and, eventually, to the establishment of a 'national mint', and how he used his increasing prestige to further crucial political objectives of the time. This man, considered a brilliant scientist by Franklin and Jefferson, was, according to Benjamin Rush, "one of the luminaries of the eighteenth century."Originally published in 1964.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Acknowledgments -- Table of Contents -- List of Abbreviations -- List of Illustrations -- I. Eulogy to an Age -- II. Heritage of a Clockmaker, 1732–1767 -- III. Through the Orrery to the Stars 1767–1769 -- IV. Transit of Venus 1769 -- V. Astronomy and Reputation 1769–1770 -- VI. Philadelphia 1770–1773 -- VII. Science and Service 1773–1775 -- VIII. Confession of Faith 1775 -- IX. The Revolution 1775–1776 -- X. The Constitution 1776 -- XI. The War 1776 -- XII. The New Government 1776–1777 -- XIII. Servant of the State 1777–1779 -- XIV. Science Ascendant 1779–1781 -- XV. Business before Science 1781–1784 -- XVI. The Great Surveys 1784–1785 -- XVII. Sunshine in Philadelphia 1785–1787 -- XVIII. The House Comes Tumbling Down 1787–1790 -- XIX. The Mantle of Franklin 1790–1792 -- XX. Liberty Cap Pennies 1792–1795 -- XXI. The Final Occultation 1795–1796 -- XXII. The Afterglow -- Bibliographical Note -- Index