Pandora's Breeches: Women, Science & Power in the Enlightenment [Paperback]

Patricia Fara (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2004

“Had God intended Women merely as a finer sort of cattle, he would not have made them reasonable.” Writing in 1673, Bathsua Makin was one of the first women to insist that girls should receive a scientific education. Despite the efforts of Makin and her successors, women were excluded from universities until the end of the 19th century, yet they found other ways to participate in science. Taking a fresh look at history, Patricia Fara investigates how women contributed to scientific progress. As well as collaborating in home-based research, women corresponded with renowned scholars and simplified important texts. Throughout this work, Fara shows how they played essential roles in work frequently attributed to their husbands or fathers. Patricia Fara lectures on at Cambridge University. She is the author of the highly praised work Newton: The Making of Genius.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A noble effort to change the record and the culture.” -- Kirkus Reviews

“A very readable history of the contribution of women to science in the 17th and 18th centuries. Highly recommended.” -- CHOICE

From the Publisher

“Had God intended Women merely as a finer sort of cattle, he would not have made them reasonable.” Writing in 1673, Bathsua Makin was one of the first women to insist that girls should receive a scientific education. Despite the efforts of Makin and her successors, women were excluded from universities until the end of the 19th century, yet they found other ways to participate in science. Taking a fresh look at history, Patricia Fara investigates how women contributed to scientific progress. As well as collaborating in home–based research, women corresponded with renowned scholars and simplified important texts. Throughout this work, Fara shows how they played essential roles in work frequently attributed to their husbands or fathers. Patricia Fara lectures on the History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge University. She is the author of the highly praised work Newton: The Making of Genius.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Random House UK (February 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844130827
• ISBN-13: 978-1844130825
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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