Lot 387
Brewster, David
Books, Maps, Photographs & Manuscripts
Auction: 12 July 2005 at 13:00 BST
Description
The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia. Edinburgh: W. Blackwood, 1830, first edition, 18 volumes, 4to, maps and 426 engraved plates (4 folding), contemporary half calf, spines gilt, plates slightly spotted; Encyclopaedia Britannica. Supplement to the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Editions of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Edinburgh: A> Constable, 1824, 6 volumes, 4to, engraved plates and maps, contemporary half calf, slightly rubbed, one joint split (24)
Footnote
Note: Sir David Brewster (1781–1868), Scottish physicist and natural philosopher, noted for his research into the polarization of light. He improved the spectroscope and persuaded the British government to adopt his dioptric system of lighthouse illumination. 1807 he undertook the editorship of the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, of which the first part appeared in 1808, and the last not until 1830, and to which he contributed many scientific articles. Later he was one of the leading contributors to the Encyclopædia Britannica (seventh and eighth editions), the articles on electricity, hydrodynamics, magnetism, microscope, optics, stereoscope, voltaic electricity, etc., being from his pen.