From the author of Bird Sense and The Most Perfect Thing, a biography of Francis Willughby, the first ornithologist
Francis Willughby lived and thrived in the midst of the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century. Along with his Cambridge tutor John Ray, Willughby was determined to overhaul the whole of natural history and impose order on its complexity. It was exhilarating, exacting and exhausting work. Yet before Willughby and Ray could complete their monumental encyclopaedia of birds, Ornithology, Willughby died. In the centuries since, Ray’s reputation has grown, obscuring that of his collaborator. Now, for the first time, Willughby’s own story and genius are given the attention they deserve.
Tim Birkhead celebrates how Willughby’s endeavours set a standard for the way birds and natural history should be studied. Rich with glorious detail, The Wonderful Mr Willughby is a fascinating insight into a thrilling period of scientific history and a lively biography of a man who lived at its heart.
- ISBN10 1408878488
- ISBN13 9781408878484
- Publish Date 3 May 2018
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 28 January 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 368
- Language English