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History of science

Laputian Newtons: the science and politics of Swift's 'Gullivers Travels'

  • 01 March 2013, 13:00 - 14:00
Add to Calendar 03/01/13 01:00 PM 03/01/13 02:00 PM United Kingdom (GMT) Laputian Newtons: the science and politics of Swift's 'Gullivers Travels' <p>Public history of science lecture by Dr Greg Lynall</p> The Royal Society, London, SW1Y 5AG
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Public history of science lecture by Dr Greg Lynall

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Overview

Public history of science lecture by Dr Greg Lynall.

Event details

Greg Lynall is Lecturer in English at the University of Liverpool.

Gulliver’s Travels (1726) contains probably the most famous satire on science in world literature, but the circumstances behind its composition are little known. In this talk, Greg Lynall explains how Gulliver’s ‘Voyage to Laputa’ was shaped by Jonathan Swift’s animosity towards the Master of the Royal Mint, Sir Isaac Newton. What began as the airing of a personal and political grievance became an assault upon the foundations of scientific knowledge.

Attending this event

This event is free to attend and open to all. No tickets are required. Doors open at 12:30pm and seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Recorded audio will be available on this page a few days afterwards.

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