Passages from the Life of a Philosopher
eBook - ePub

Passages from the Life of a Philosopher

  1. English
  2. ePUB (mobile friendly)
  3. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub

Passages from the Life of a Philosopher

About this book

Passages from the Life of a Philosopher is an autobiographical work by Charles Babbage, the renowned English mathematician, inventor, and mechanical engineer, best known for conceptualizing the first automatic mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine. First published in 1864, this book offers a fascinating and detailed account of Babbage's life, his scientific pursuits, and the intellectual climate of 19th-century Britain. Through a series of engaging anecdotes, personal reflections, and technical explanations, Babbage provides readers with unique insights into his groundbreaking work on calculating machines, including the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine, which laid the foundations for modern computing. The narrative is rich with Babbage's observations on the scientific community, his collaborations and sometimes contentious relationships with contemporaries such as Ada Lovelace, John Herschel, and Michael Faraday, and his tireless advocacy for the advancement of science and technology. Babbage also delves into his broader interests, including his campaigns for social reform, his fascination with cryptography, and his efforts to improve the efficiency of postal services and railways. The book is notable for its blend of technical detail and personal storytelling, making complex scientific ideas accessible to a general audience while also offering a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of a pioneering thinker. Passages from the Life of a Philosopher is not only a valuable historical document but also an inspiring testament to the power of curiosity, perseverance, and innovation. It captures the spirit of the Victorian era's scientific revolution and provides a window into the mind of one of its most influential figures. Whether you are interested in the history of computing, the development of scientific thought, or the personal journey of a remarkable inventor, Babbage's memoir remains a compelling and enlightening read.

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Yes, you can access Passages from the Life of a Philosopher by Babbage in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Social Sciences & Social Science Biographies. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.

Table of contents

  1. PASSAGES FROM THE LIFE OF A PHILOSOPHER, by Charles Babbage
  2. DEDICATION.
  3. PREFACE.
  4. CONTENTS.
  5. CHAPTER I. MY ANCESTORS.
  6. CHAPTER II. CHILDHOOD.
  7. CHAPTER III. BOYHOOD.
  8. CHAPTER IV. CAMBRIDGE.
  9. CHAPTER V. DIFFERENCE ENGINE NO. 1.
  10. CHAPTER VI.
  11. CHAPTER VII. DIFFERENCE ENGINE NO. II.
  12. CHAPTER VIII. OF THE ANALYTICAL ENGINE.
  13. CHAPTER IX. OF THE MECHANICAL NOTATION.
  14. CHAPTER X. THE EXHIBITION OF 1862.
  15. CHAPTER XI. THE LATE PRINCE CONSORT.
  16. CHAPTER XII. RECOLLECTIONS OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
  17. CHAPTER XIII. RECOLLECTIONS OF WOLLASTON, DAVY, AND ROGERS.
  18. CHAPTER XIV. RECOLLECTIONS OF LAPLACE, BIOT, AND HUMBOLDT.
  19. CHAPTER XV. EXPERIENCE BY WATER.
  20. CHAPTER XVI. EXPERIENCE BY FIRE.
  21. CHAPTER XVII. EXPERIENCE AMONGST WORKMEN.
  22. CHAPTER XVIII. PICKING LOCKS AND DECIPHERING.
  23. CHAPTER XIX. EXPERIENCE IN ST. GILES’S.
  24. CHAPTER XX. THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE.
  25. CHAPTER XXI. ELECTIONEERING EXPERIENCE.
  26. CHAPTER XXII. SCENE FROM A NEW AFTER-PIECE, CALLED “Politics and Poetry;” or, “The Decline of Science.”
  27. CHAPTER XXIII. EXPERIENCE AT COURTS.
  28. CHAPTER XXIV. EXPERIENCE AT COURTS.
  29. CHAPTER XXV. RAILWAYS.
  30. CHAPTER XXVI. STREET NUISANCES.
  31. CHAPTER XXVII. WIT.
  32. CHAPTER XXVIII. HINTS FOR TRAVELLERS.
  33. CHAPTER XXIX. MIRACLES.
  34. CHAPTER XXX. RELIGION.
  35. CHAPTER XXXI. A VISION.
  36. CHAPTER XXXII. VARIOUS REMINISCENCES.
  37. CHAPTER XXXIII. THE AUTHOR’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUMAN KNOWLEDGE.
  38. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE AUTHOR’S FURTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUMAN KNOWLEDGE.
  39. CHAPTER XXXV. RESULTS OF SCIENCE.
  40. CHAPTER XXXVI. AGREEABLE RECOLLECTIONS.
  41. APPENDIX.
  42. LIST OF MR. BABBAGE’S PRINTED PAPERS.