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Defoe and the New Sciences

Part of Cambridge Studies in Eighteenth-Century English Literature and Thought

Author: Ilse Vickers, University College London

Date Published: January 1997
availability: Available
format: Hardback
isbn: 9780521402798

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About the Authors

In his long career as a writer Daniel Defoe never tired of advocating the value of personal observation and experience, or his belief in man's God-given duty to explore and make productive use of nature. In this first major study of Bacon's legacy to Defoe, Ilse Vickers shows that the ideas and concepts of Baconian science were a major influence on Defoe's thinking and writing. She outlines the intellectual principles behind Baconian science, and considers a wide range of Defoe's work, from the point of view of his familiarity with the ideals of experimental philosophy.
- First major study exploring Defoe's debt to Baconian thought
- Throws new light on the principles underlying all Defoe's writing, including close links between his factual and fictional work
- Offers exciting new insight into the ways in which literature and scientific ideas are linked
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Reviews & endorsements
"It is not often that a book comes out that makes so much sense that one wonders why nobody thought of it before. Such is the case with Ilse Vickers' study of Daniel Defoe. Vickers' work is useful, livel, and interesting for any facet of Defoe studies, not merely the ones she covers, since her theory can be applied to Defoe's theoretical ideas and his moral principles." British and American Literatures
"Her exposition of Baconianism in three of Defoe's major works of nonfiction, A General History of Trade, A New Voyage Round the World, and A Tour thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain, is persuasive. But it is in her approach to Robinson Crusoe that she makes her greatest contribution. Our understanding of Robinson Crusoe is enriched by this sensitive commentary." David Blewitt, 18th Century Studies
"...Vickers's book usefully discusses Defoe's symptomatic contributions to travel writing, and is especially good on how internal travel leads directly to the `natural history' of a nation." Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900
"This short study will interest both cultural and literary historians." Barbara Shapiro, Albion
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Product details
- Date Published: January 1997
- format: Hardback
- isbn: 9780521402798
- length: 216 pages
- dimensions: 236 x 158 x 20 mm
- weight: 0.442kg
- contains: 3 b/w illus.
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
Part I. The Baconian Scientific Milieu:
1. The legacy of Francis Bacon
2. The selective taking-up of Bacon's ideas: biographical sketches of five followers of Bacon
3. Charles Morton and the new sciences
Part II. Daniel Defoe:
4. Daniel Defoe and the Baconian legacy
5. Defoe's General History of Trade: its relation to the Baconian histories
6. Robinson Crusoe: man's progressive dominion over nature
7. A New Voyage round the World: Defoe the traveller-scientist by sea
8. Defoe's Tour: a natural history of man and his activities
Appendix.
Author
Ilse Vickers, University College London