In 'The Lunar Men', Jenny Uglow unravels the fascinating lives of a group of Enlightenment thinkers in 18th-century England, known as the Lunar Society. This extraordinary assembly of inventors, philosophers, and artists, including the likes of Erasmus Darwin and Josiah Wedgwood, met beneath the glow of the moon to ignite revolutionary ideas that shaped modern science and industry. Uglow vividly brings to life their struggles, triumphs, and intricate relationships, revealing how their camaraderie and creativity sparked profound change. As their experiments with electricity, chemistry, and industry unfolded, they faced societal opposition and personal dilemmas. This compelling narrative invites readers to explore the intersection of imagination and enlightenment in a pivotal era of human history.
By Jenny Uglow
Published: 2002
"'In the heart of the Enlightenment, these men balanced science with art, daring to dream of a world transformed by reason and imagination.'"
"In the 1760s a group of amateur experimenters met and made friends in the Midlands. Most came from poor families, all lived far from the centre of things, but they were young and their optimism was boundless: together they would change the world. Among them were the ambitious toy-maker Matthew Boulton and his partner James Watt, of steam-engine fame; the potter Josiah Wedgwood; and the larger-than-life Erasmus Darwin, physician, poet, inventor and theorist of evolution (a forerunner of his grandson Charles). Later came Joseph Priestley, discoverer of oxygen and fighting radical." "With a small band of allies, including the exuberant followers of Rousseau, Richard Lovell Edgeworth and Thomas Day, they formed the Lunar Society of Birmingham (so called because it met at each full moon). Blending science, art and commerce, the Lunar Men built canals, launched balloons, named plants, gases and minerals, changed the face of England and the china in its drawing rooms, and plotted to revolutionize its soul." --Book Jacket.
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“'In the heart of the Enlightenment, these men balanced science with art, daring to dream of a world transformed by reason and imagination.'”
The Lunar Men
By Jenny Uglow
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Jenny Uglow is a renowned British author and biographer, celebrated for her insightful explorations of history and culture. She is known for her notable works, including 'The Lunar Men: The Friends Who Made the Future', which examines the lives of the Enlightenment-era group, and 'In These Times: Living in Britain Through Napoleon’s Wars', which delves into the social and political climate of the early 19th century. Uglow's writing style is characterized by its meticulous research and vivid prose, bringing historical figures and events to life with clarity and depth. She is also recognized for her contributions to literary criticism and her involvement in promoting literature through various platforms.
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