This week I have a few reading goals. First is the first volume of the series of early Newton biographies edited by Iliffe, Keynes, and Higgitt. I’ve read most of the material that is online, but I like seeing it in book form. Call me old-fashioned. The introduction offers some helpful historiography. Obviously I’m hoping for some kind of mysterious illumination no one’s noticed in 300 years. We’ll see how it does. I am also teaching Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess for the intro to literature class I am teaching. Talk about having to switch gears while reading!
The other texts I’m going to be working with in the coming weeks for this chapter include the body of texts on Newton’s (and other early modern) alchemy, literary texts on alchemy, and some other stuff on book history and the history of science for a seminar I’m taking. I’m looking forward to it!
My other work this quarter will involve looking at three editions of a text about Newton’s natural philosophy, and analyzing changes to the text as they evolve in the eighteenth century. I am also teaching a class on “Literature and the Stages of Life,” which is both an enjoyable distraction from my other pursuits and a great learning experience.
