Newton Manuscript Finds a Home in CHF's Collections
Isaac Newton is one of the most celebrated scientists of all time, but modern research tells us that he also spent over 30 years studying alchemical texts. One of these texts was recently added to our collections: Newton's handwritten copy of George Starkey's recipe for philosophic ("sophick") mercury, considered an essential element for the production of the philosopher's stone.
"This manuscript helps us understand Newton's alchemical reading--especially of his favorite author--and gives us evidence of one more of his laboratory procedures. Newton wrote an estimated 1,000,000 words of notes on alchemy during his lifetime, and our manuscript is just one among these," explains James Voelkel, CHF's curator of rare books.
The acquisition of this extraordinary manuscript generated more than 50 news stories, including articles in National Geographic, Chemistry World, and the Washington Post, and saw coverage in at least a dozen languages.
This manuscript was in private hands for most of the 20th century, but it will now be scanned and made available online for researchers through the Chymistry of Isaac Newton project.
Love it or loathe it, Wikipedia has become an important source of scientific information for the public over the past 15 years--and now scientists and writers are teaming up for Wikipedia's Year of Science to make sure that information is clear, accurate, and readable. Mary Mark Ockerbloom, CHF's Wikipedian-in-residence, recently took part in an Edit-a-Thon hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), training scientists on how to edit and create content.
As CHF's director of European operations and outreach, Brigitte Van Tiggelen works to build a community of scholarship and outreach across the pond. We chatted about her research interests, her work with CHF, and the importance of studying the history of science in the latest edition of our Through the Lens blog series.
Museum Dance-Off
Most of the time museum work is serious business: collecting, conserving, curating, and community building. But every now and then our hardworking team takes a moment to indulge in their creative urges. Watch and enjoy our entry in the third annual Museum Dance-Off, and vote for us through 7:59 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday!
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