The Correspondence of John Tyndall, Volume 13: The Correspondence, June 1872-September 1873

The thirteenth volume of The Correspondence of John Tyndall spans from June 1, 1872, to September 28, 1873, documenting Tyndall's lecture tour of the United States, his defense of Joseph Dalton Hooker in the Ayrton affair, and his preparations for the 1874 Belfast Address. The letters reveal Tyndall's widespread esteem, influence, and engagement in scientific and personal disagreements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 616 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

The thirteenth volume of The Correspondence of John Tyndall contains a remarkable collection of 476 letters, spanning from June 1, 1872, to September 28, 1873. During this period, Tyndall embarked on a lecture tour of the United States, which consumed a significant portion of his time. We encounter him amidst the Ayrton affair, a contentious dispute that unfolded between Tyndall and Acton Smee Ayrton, the First Commissioner of Works. The Ayrton affair revolved around the governance of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and saw Tyndall defending his friend and fellow X Club member, Joseph Dalton Hooker, against Ayrton's criticisms.

Tyndall's tour of the United States was a resounding success by various metrics. However, his well-documented skepticism of the efficacy of prayer quickly incensed the devout. Upon his return to England in mid-February 1873, Tyndall commenced preparations for his 1874 Belfast Address, during which he assumed the presidency of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. In this address, Tyndall articulated a defense of materialism, which scandalized many of his contemporaries.

As we conclude our journey with Tyndall in September 1873, we find him engaged in a spirited scientific disagreement with Scottish physicist Peter Guthrie Tait in the pages of Nature. The dispute centered around James David Forbes, whose theory of glacial motion Tait had previously defended against Tyndall's attacks. This disagreement gradually evolved into a personal one, reflecting the intense rivalry between Tyndall and Tait.

Amidst the turmoil of controversy, these letters provide a glimpse into the life of a renowned scientist who enjoyed widespread esteem and wielded the influence it brought him with gusto. Tyndall effortlessly navigated the rarefied social and intellectual circles into which he had risen, showcasing his remarkable presence and intellectual prowess. The letters serve as a testament to Tyndall's enduring legacy as a brilliant scientist and his significant contributions to the field of optics.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822947424