The Scientific Papers of John Couch Adams
Cambridge: At the University Press, 1896; 1900. First edition. Hardcover. 2 vol. 4to. [5], vi-liv, 1-502, [2]; [7], viii-xxxii, 1-646 pp. Blue publisher's cloth on beveled boards with gilt lettering on each spine. Illustrated with a frontispiece and two plates, facsimiles of manuscripts written by Adams; volume two with six folding charts at the end of the book. With several in-text diagrams as well. Volume one consists of 62 papers by Adams, including his papers on his co-discovery of Neptune (Adams was one of three people who discovered the planet). Edited by William Grylls Adams, with a memoir by J.W.L. Glaisher. Oxford DNB Roger Hutchins, Adams, John Couch (1819–1892). Adams made several breakthrough discoveries in astronomy thanks to his skill in mathematics and physics. Two other notable achievements of his include discoveries relating to the moon's mean motion and the orbit of the Leonid meteorids. The Oxford DNB refers to him as a "mathematical astronomer" and as a notable bibliophile. For the last thirty years of his career, Adams directed the Cambridge Observatory. He was also one of the first Cambridge professors to admit women into his lectures, and was an advocate for women's higher education. The second volume of this set includes writings from Adams on magnetism, and extracts from his previously unpublished manuscripts. The set gives great insight into Adams' mind, research methods, and into the state of astronomy during the latter nineteenth century. Near Fine. Item #000011757
A contemporary bookplate on each front pastedown with a profile portrait of Adams, the bookplate states "In Memoriam Johannis Couch Adams". A blemish on volume two's spine and just a bit of foxing to the textblocks, otherwise a lovely set.
Price: $300.00