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Thomas Young, Quaker Scientist

Mathieson, Genevieve
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1196288181

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Arts, Case Western Reserve University, History.
Thomas Young was a widely accomplished polymath who discovered the principle of interference of light. This was just one of his achievements, made in the midst of practicing medicine, working as both a professional scientist and bureaucrat, deciphering portions of the Rosetta stone, determining the causes of color vision, and writing prolifically on all of these topics. The interference of light was later shown by Fresnel to be conclusive proof that light was vibratory rather than corpuscular. Given Young’s strong support for vibratory theory, this thesis seeks to determine why Young did not pursue his optical theories further. Through study of Young’s Quaker upbringing, an analysis of Quaker schooling and scientific practice, Young’s work and its reception by his scientific peers, I argue that Young’s scientific practice was inextricably linked with his Quaker background.
Gillian Weiss (Advisor)
68 p.
Thomas Young; Polymath; Interference of Light; Wave Theory of Light; Quakerism; Quakers and Science

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mathieson, G. (2008). Thomas Young, Quaker Scientist [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1196288181

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mathieson, Genevieve. Thomas Young, Quaker Scientist. 2008. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1196288181.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mathieson, Genevieve. "Thomas Young, Quaker Scientist." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1196288181

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1196288181
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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.