Robert Hooke 1635-1703
From Book Owners Online
Robert HOOKE 1635-1703
Biographical Note
Scientist, surveyor, curator of experiments for the Royal Society.
Books
Hooke acquired books throughout his life, and was a regular frequenter of bookshops and auction sales. As the Hooke's Books website observes (which has a detailed analysis of Hooke's engagement with books, as well as information on surviving examples - see below), "he enquired after, borrowed, bought, lent, discussed, copied and reviewed books obsessively". His diary for 1672-83, together with other surviving personal manuscripts, contain many details of buying and reading books. Library auctioned in London, 29.4.1703 (2585 lots).
Sources
- Alston, R. C. Inventory of sale catalogues 1676-1800. St Philip, 2010.
- Feisenberger, H. A. Sale catalogues of libraries of eminent persons: 11: scientists, London, 1975 (catalogue reproduced).
- Mandelbrote, G. Sloane’s purchases at the sale of Robert Hooke’s library, in G. Mandelbrote and B. Taylor (eds), Libraries within the library, 2009, 98-145.
- Pugliese, Patri J. "Hooke, Robert (1635–1703), natural philosopher." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
- Rostenberg, L. The library of Robert Hooke (1989).
- Website on his library: Robert Hooke's Books.