The Lunar Men by Jenny Uglow

The Lunar Men by Jenny Uglow

In the 1760s a group of amateur experimenters met and made friends in the Midlands. Most came from humble families, all lived far from the centre of things, but they were young and their optimism was boundless: together they would change the world. Among them were the ambitious toy-maker Matthew Boulton and his partner James Watt, of steam-engine fame; the potter Josiah Wedgewood; the larger-than-life Erasmus Darwin, physician, poet, inventor and theorist of evolution (a forerunner of his grandson Charles). Later came Joseph Priestley, discoverer of oxygen and fighting radical. With a small band of allies they formed the Lunar Society of Birmingham (so called because it met at each full moon) and kick-started the Industrial Revolution. Blending science, art and commerce, the "Lunar Men" built canals, launched balloons, named plants, gases and minerals, changed the face of England and the china in its drawing rooms and plotted to revolutionize its soul. This exhilarating account uncovers the friendships, political passions, love affairs, and love of knowledge (and power) that drove these extraordinary men. It echoes to the thud of pistons and the wheeze and snort of engines, and brings to life the tradesmen, artisans and tycoons who shaped and fired the modern age.

The Lunar Society of Birmingham was formed in the 1760s, and included (among others) Matthew Boulton and his partner James Watt (of steam engine fame), the potter Josiah Wedgwood, Erasmus Darwin, theorist of evolution and ancestor of Charles DarwinLater came Joseph Priestley, discoverer of oxygen. They formed the Lunar Society (so-called because it met at each full moon) to talk, swap discoveries and plan their great idea. Jenny Uglow, described by Michael Holroyd as one of the most talented of contemporary biographers, has written a fascinating and vivid account of these famous men and their friendships, love of knowledge and power. It is a splendid look at 'The Friends who Made the Future' between 1730 and 1810, and deserves to be very successful.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780571196470
ISBN 10	0571196470
Title	The Lunar Men
Author	Jenny Uglow
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Faber & Faber
Year published	2002-09-16
Number of pages	576
Prizes	Winner of PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize for History 2003, Winner of James Tait Black Memorial Prize (Biography) 2002
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable