The ascent of John Tyndall : victorian scientist, mountaineer, and public intellectual
Jackson, Roland
Johne Tyndall was one of the major scientific figures of Victorian Britain. Among his contributions was the discovery of why the sky is blue, and the physical basis of the greenhouse effect, which underpins global warming.
Little known today, in the mid-19th century Tyndall was at the heart of scientific circles, playing leading roles in the Royal Society and Royal Institution. But he was also a prominent public figure, engaged in major debates, friend of Carlyle and Tennyson as well as Faraday and Huxley. Born in rural Ireland, Tyndall's social ascent brought him into high society, a regular guest at the houses of the aristocracy, into which he eventually married. Polemicist, debater, pre-eminent mountaineer - there were many facets to the life of this extraordinary and complex man. This major new biography - the first for over 70 years - captures the life, times, and death by accidental poisoning of a remarkable Victorian scientist and public intellectual. (4ème de couverture)
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