James Ferguson’s Astronomy Explained (1757)
An important 18th century work on astronomy by Scottish astronomer and populariser James Ferguson, Astronomy Explained reflects Ferguson’s ambition to make the complexities of astronomy and science accessible to a wider audience, including readers without a formal mathematical education.
In this influential work, Ferguson presents a broad range of astronomical and scientific subjects, including the solar system, Newton’s laws of motion and gravity, the Earth and the heavens, astronomical phenomena, and practical astronomy. Through clear explanations, diagrams, mechanical models and physical demonstrations, he sought to communicate complex scientific principles in an engaging and comprehensible manner. His work played a significant role in popularising Newtonian science and extending public interest in astronomy during the eighteenth century.
This second edition was published in London in 1757, printed and sold by Ferguson himself at his premises outside the Globe. This volume is octavo and housed in its original brown leather binding, featuring raised bands and gilt titling on the spine. It comprises 283 pages, alongside preliminary pages and an extensive index, and is illustrated with 14 engraved folding plates, including a fold-out frontispiece.
The binding remains in very good condition, with slight age-related wear to the front and rear boards, while the spine is in excellent condition. Some foxing is present throughout; however, the text and illustrations remain legible, with the majority of the pages retaining a bright and clean appearance.
A significant example of eighteenth-century scientific publishing, Astronomy Explained offers both historical insight into the dissemination of Newtonian science and an appealing addition to a collection of early scientific works.
This book is being sold for £750.
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