Harold B. Lee Library

Archive for the “History of Science” Category

• Waxing poetic about comets
  Posted June 29, 2011 by Maggie Kopp

  The History of Printing Collection is especially rich in its holdings of Renaissance-era pamphlets and treatises about comets. The library has recently acquired two German pamphlets dating from 1665, one printed in Ulm and the other in Dresden. The Ulm pamphlet records observations made in October 1664 by astronomer Christoph Schorer, and the Dresden pamphlet, [...]

• Renaissance astronomy in the news
  Posted November 22, 2010 by Maggie Kopp

  Renaissance astronomy is in the news again, this time because a group of Czech and Danish scientists are testing the remains of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, who died in 1601.  Brahe’s astronomical observations provided the foundation for the work of Johannes Kepler and other astronomers, but he is also remembered for the rumors which swirled [...]

• Astronomy Manuscripts in Special Collections
  Posted May 20, 2010 by Maggie Kopp

  The History of Science Collection at BYU contains manuscript material by several prominent astronomers of the 17th and 18th centuries, including correspondence, treatises, and observations.   The largest collection is the Jean-Baptiste Joseph Delambre Collection, VMSS 458.  Delambre (1749-1822) was a French astronomer and mathematician who helped develop the metric system and wrote one of the [...]

• Comet literature
  Posted February 26, 2010 by Maggie Kopp

  A particular strength of BYU’s History of Science Collection is a collection of over 80 European pamphlets and monographs on comets, dating from the early 16th to early 18th centuries.  These works were written by theologians, philosophers, and scientists, and as such, approach the subject of comets from conflicting perspectives.  For some, the appearance of [...]

• Science in Facsimile
  Posted January 27, 2010 by Maggie Kopp

  While many facsimiles of medieval and Renaissance manuscripts housed in Special Collections reproduce religious and literary texts, our collection also holds a number of facsimiles of scientific works.  The newest addition to Special Collections is a facsimile of the Codex Leicester, a 72-page manuscript by Leonardo da Vinci.  In this manuscript, Leonardo recorded his observations [...]

• International Year of Astronomy
  Posted October 13, 2009 by Maggie Kopp

  To commemorate The International Year of Astronomy, Special Collections is once again highlighting books and manuscripts from our History of Science collection. 2009 marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s telescope, and we are displaying some key items related to Galileo and the history of astronomy.  Galileo’s Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems and an [...]

• Celebrate Astronomy with Special Collections!
  Posted February 23, 2009 by Maggie Kopp

  2009 is being commemorated worldwide as The International Year of Astronomy. This year marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s telescope, and activities to celebrate the history and impact of astronomy and science are taking place on the local, national, and international levels. Here at L. Tom Perry Special Collections, we will celebrate the International Year [...]

• Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln, 1809-2009
  Posted February 12, 2009 by Maggie Kopp

  Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln are both in the news this week, since today marks the 200th anniversary of both men’s births.  Television and radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and museums are all offering the chance to learn more about Darwin, Lincoln, and their legacies.  But did you know that you can study Darwin and Lincoln [...]