Book: The First Scientific American
Author: Joyce Chaplin
Year published: 2007
Genre: Biography
Rating: 8/10
Review: In this excellent biography, Joyce Chaplin stresses Benjamin
Franklin's science, and how it got him entry into the world of politics.
She also pursues the idea of "genius" - Franklin was one of the first
people to be called a genius, as opposed to being a person who had a
genius. Franklin achieved greater fame in his time that any scientist
after him until Einstein. Chaplin traces this idea, and how the
reception of geniuses may connect with the political mood of particular
eras. Darwin, for example, did not achieve what Franklin and Einstein
did - although Darwin's theories were certainly revolutionary. Chaplin
posits that this may be due to the less revolutionary nature of the era
in which Darwin lived.
Chaplin, like any biographer,
spends time on the usual aspects of Franklin's life. His childhood and
early life as a printer, his rise in society, his marriage and his
relationship with his children. But her emphasis is on the science, and
on the interplay between his science, his politics, and his reputation
in three countries: The colonies (later the United States), England, and
France. He achieved the greatest fame in France. She spends virtually
no time on what might be called the National Enquirer aspects of his
life, but she does bring up several less-than-nice things he did to get
himself noticed.
The book is well written, it flows easily and is well organized. I have only two small complaints about it. First, although there are copious notes, there is no bibliography. Second, and more important, it would have been good to have more explanation of modern theories that relate to Franklin's theories. Which of his theories are still accepted? Which have been modified? Which rejected?
The book is well written, it flows easily and is well organized. I have only two small complaints about it. First, although there are copious notes, there is no bibliography. Second, and more important, it would have been good to have more explanation of modern theories that relate to Franklin's theories. Which of his theories are still accepted? Which have been modified? Which rejected?
Overall, though, I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in Franklin, or in 18th century science.
About the Author: Joyce Chaplin is a professor of history at Harvard University.
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