Robert Hooke 1635-1703
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. His interactions with his extensive network of contemporary scientists and scholars, including Henry Oldenburg, Robert Boyle, Theodore Haak and other included much lending and presenting of books.
Hooke intended to bequeath his estate to the Royal Society, to enable them to build a new headquarters (including a library), but he died intestate and none of this happened; his estate was inherited by his cousin Elizabeth Stephens, when his library was valued at £205 10s 6d. The library was then 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.