Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Robert Hooke" - New World
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'''Robert Hooke''', [[Fellow of the Royal Society|FRS]] ([[July 18]], [[1635]] – [[March 3]], [[1703]]) was an [[England|English]] [[polymath]] who played an important role in the [[scientific revolution]], through both experimental and theoretical work. His father was [[John Hooke]], curate of the [[Church of All Saints]], [[Freshwater, Isle of Wight|Freshwater]]. | '''Robert Hooke''', [[Fellow of the Royal Society|FRS]] ([[July 18]], [[1635]] – [[March 3]], [[1703]]) was an [[England|English]] [[polymath]] who played an important role in the [[scientific revolution]], through both experimental and theoretical work. His father was [[John Hooke]], curate of the [[Church of All Saints]], [[Freshwater, Isle of Wight|Freshwater]]. | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
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==Career== | ==Career== | ||
| + | [[Image:Microscope de HOOKE.png|250px|right|thumb|[[Robert Hooke]]'s microscope (1665)—an [[engineering|engineered]] device used to study living systems]] | ||
In [[1660]], he discovered [[Hooke's law|Hooke's Law]] of [[Elasticity (physics)|elasticity]], which describes the linear variation of [[tension (mechanics)|tension]] with extension in an [[elasticity (solid mechanics)|elastic]] spring. In [[1662]], Hooke gained appointment as Curator of Experiments to the newly founded [[Royal Society]], and took responsibility for experiments performed at its meetings. | In [[1660]], he discovered [[Hooke's law|Hooke's Law]] of [[Elasticity (physics)|elasticity]], which describes the linear variation of [[tension (mechanics)|tension]] with extension in an [[elasticity (solid mechanics)|elastic]] spring. In [[1662]], Hooke gained appointment as Curator of Experiments to the newly founded [[Royal Society]], and took responsibility for experiments performed at its meetings. | ||
In [[1665]] he published a book entitled ''[[Micrographia]]'' which contained a number of [[microscope|microscopic]] and [[telescope|telescopic]] observations, and some original observations in [[biology]]. Hooke coined the biological term ''[[cell (biology)|cell]]'', so called because his observations of plant cells reminded him of [[monk]]s' cells which were called "cellula." He is often credited with the discovery of the cell, and although his microscope was very basic, research by British scientist [[Brian J. Ford]] has now shown that Hooke could have observed cork cells with it. Ford furthermore shows that Hooke used more high power single lenses to make many of his studies. He also has identified a section in the Preface that contains a description of how to make a microscope, and Hooke's design was utilized by the Dutchman [[Anton van Leeuwenhoek]], described as the father of microbiology. | In [[1665]] he published a book entitled ''[[Micrographia]]'' which contained a number of [[microscope|microscopic]] and [[telescope|telescopic]] observations, and some original observations in [[biology]]. Hooke coined the biological term ''[[cell (biology)|cell]]'', so called because his observations of plant cells reminded him of [[monk]]s' cells which were called "cellula." He is often credited with the discovery of the cell, and although his microscope was very basic, research by British scientist [[Brian J. Ford]] has now shown that Hooke could have observed cork cells with it. Ford furthermore shows that Hooke used more high power single lenses to make many of his studies. He also has identified a section in the Preface that contains a description of how to make a microscope, and Hooke's design was utilized by the Dutchman [[Anton van Leeuwenhoek]], described as the father of microbiology. | ||
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The hand-crafted, leather and gold-tooled microscope that Hooke used to make the observations for "Micrographia," originally made by Christopher Cock in London, is on display at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, DC. Also in 1665 he gained appointment as Professor of [[Geometry]] at [[Gresham College]]. Hooke also achieved fame as Surveyor to the City of London and chief assistant of [[Christopher Wren]], helping to rebuild London after the [[Great Fire of London|Great Fire]] in [[1666]]. He worked on designing the [[Monument to the Great Fire of London|Monument]], [[Royal Greenwich Observatory]] and the infamous [[Bethlem Royal Hospital]] (which became known as 'Bedlam'). | The hand-crafted, leather and gold-tooled microscope that Hooke used to make the observations for "Micrographia," originally made by Christopher Cock in London, is on display at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, DC. Also in 1665 he gained appointment as Professor of [[Geometry]] at [[Gresham College]]. Hooke also achieved fame as Surveyor to the City of London and chief assistant of [[Christopher Wren]], helping to rebuild London after the [[Great Fire of London|Great Fire]] in [[1666]]. He worked on designing the [[Monument to the Great Fire of London|Monument]], [[Royal Greenwich Observatory]] and the infamous [[Bethlem Royal Hospital]] (which became known as 'Bedlam'). | ||
Revision as of 21:57, 29 April 2007
Robert Hooke, FRS (July 18, 1635 – March 3, 1703) was an English polymath who played an important role in the scientific revolution, through both experimental and theoretical work. His father was John Hooke, curate of the Church of All Saints, Freshwater.
Early life
Robert Hooke was fascinated by the sciences, particularly biology, from his early childhood. Like his three other brothers (all ministers), Robert was expected to succeed in his education and join his father's church. However, Hooke continually suffered from headaches whilst studying. His parents, fearing he would not reach adulthood, decided to give up on his education and leave him to his own devices.
Born in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight, Hooke received his early education on the Isle of Wight and, from about the age of 13, at Westminster School under Dr. Busby. In 1653, Hooke secured a chorister's place at Christ Church, Oxford. There he met the chemist (and physicist) Robert Boyle, and gained employment as his assistant. It is possible that Hooke formally stated Boyle's Law, as Boyle was not a mathematician.
Career
In 1660, he discovered Hooke's Law of elasticity, which describes the linear variation of tension with extension in an elastic spring. In 1662, Hooke gained appointment as Curator of Experiments to the newly founded Royal Society, and took responsibility for experiments performed at its meetings.
In 1665 he published a book entitled Micrographia which contained a number of microscopic and telescopic observations, and some original observations in biology. Hooke coined the biological term cell, so called because his observations of plant cells reminded him of monks' cells which were called "cellula." He is often credited with the discovery of the cell, and although his microscope was very basic, research by British scientist Brian J. Ford has now shown that Hooke could have observed cork cells with it. Ford furthermore shows that Hooke used more high power single lenses to make many of his studies. He also has identified a section in the Preface that contains a description of how to make a microscope, and Hooke's design was utilized by the Dutchman Anton van Leeuwenhoek, described as the father of microbiology.
The hand-crafted, leather and gold-tooled microscope that Hooke used to make the observations for "Micrographia," originally made by Christopher Cock in London, is on display at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, DC. Also in 1665 he gained appointment as Professor of Geometry at Gresham College. Hooke also achieved fame as Surveyor to the City of London and chief assistant of Christopher Wren, helping to rebuild London after the Great Fire in 1666. He worked on designing the Monument, Royal Greenwich Observatory and the infamous Bethlem Royal Hospital (which became known as 'Bedlam').
Death
He died in London on 3 March 1703 (ns). He amassed a sizeable sum of money during his career in London, which was found in his room at Gresham College after his death. He never married.
No portrait
It seems that no authenticated portrait of him survives (Newton instigated the removal of Hooke's portrait in the Royal Society). In 2003 the historian Lisa Jardine claimed a recently discovered portrait represents Robert Hooke. However, Prof. Jardine's hypothesis was soon disproved by Prof. William Jensen (University of Cincinnati) and independently by the German researcher Andreas Pechtl (Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz). Actually, the portrait represents Jan Baptist van Helmont. A seal used by Hooke displays an unusual profile portrait of a man's head, that some have argued portrays Hooke. Both these claims remain in dispute, however. Moreover, the engraved frontispiece to the 1728 edition of Chambers' Cyclopedia shows as an interesting detail the bust of Robert Hooke.
Hooke the architect
Robert Hooke was an important architect. He was the official London Surveyor after the Great Fire of 1666, surveying about half the plots in the city. As well as the Bethlem Royal Hospital, other buildings designed by Hooke include: The Royal College of Physicians (1679); Ragley Hall in Warwickshire; and the parish church at Willen, Milton Keynes (historical Buckinghamshire).
Hooke's collaboration with Christopher Wren was particularly fruitful and yielded The Royal Observatory at Greenwich, The Monument (to the Great Fire) and St Paul's Cathedral, whose dome uses a method of construction conceived by Hooke.
In the reconstruction after the Great Fire, Hooke proposed redesigning London's streets on a grid pattern with wide boulevards and arteries along the lines of the Champs-Élysées, (this pattern was subsequently used for Liverpool and many American cities), but was prevented by problems over property rights. Many property owners were surreptitiously shifting their boundaries and disputes were rife. (Hooke was in demand to use his competence as a surveyor and tact as an arbitrator to settle many of these disputes.) So London was rebuilt along the original mediaeval streets. It is interesting to note that much of the modern-day curse of congestion in London has its origin in these petty disputes of the 17th century.
Mass media
Robert Hooke is one of many real-life personages featured in the historical adventure novels The Baroque Cycle by American author Neal Stephenson; Hooke's skill in the sciences and surgical arts are used to great (and often darkly comedic) effect throughout the cycle.
Books
- The Man Who Knew Too Much, Stephen Inwood, Pan Books, 2002. ISBN 0-330-48829-5. (Published in the USA as The Forgotten Genius)
- Early Science in Oxford vol vii, Dr. R. T. Gunther, ed., privately printed, 1923-67.
- Robert Hooke, Margaret 'Espinasse. William Heinemann Ltd, 1956.
- The Curious Life of Robert Hooke: The Man who Measured London, Lisa Jardine. Harper Collins Publishers, 2003. ISBN 0-00-714944-1.
- London's Leonardo: The Life and Work of Robert Hooke, Jim Bennett, Michael Cooper, Michael Hunter and Lisa Jardine. Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-19-852579-6.
- England's Leonardo: Robert Hooke and the Seventeenth-century Scientific Revolution, Allan Chapman. Institute of Physics Publishing, 2004. ISBN 0-7503-0987-3.
- Robert Hooke and the English Renaissance, Allan Chapman and Paul Kent (editors). Gracewing, 2005. ISBN 0-85244-587-3.
- Hooke, Robert (1635-1703). Micrographia: or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon...
See also
- List of astronomical instrument makers
- The Boyle-Hooke plaque in Oxford
External links
- Website dedicated to Hooke, hosted by Westminster School
- Works by Robert Hooke. Project Gutenberg
- Hooke Timeline
- England's Leonardo lecture on Robert Hooke
- Engraved bust of Robert Hooke
- Robert Boyle and Robert Hooke
- Lost manuscript of Robert Hooke discovered — from The Guardian
- Exploring our archives, a blog by researchers at the Royal Society exploring Hooke's lost manuscript
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