The Curious Life Of Robert Hooke: the Man Who Measured London.

THE CURIOUS LIFE OF ROBERT HOOKE: The Man Who Measured London

LISA JARDINE 

In a meticulously researched effort, Jardine paints an emotional yet honest portrait of Robert Hooke, one of the 1600s most enigmatic, although largely forgotten, theorists. If Hooke is remembered at all, it's for actions during his prime years, when he became a controversial figure for publicly claiming credit for Isaac Newton's inverse-square law of gravity. Though his contributions toward Newton's work are debatable, Hooke was an accomplished, if feisty, scientist. He lists among his credentials the discovery of the law of elasticity that bears his name and a stint as London's chief surveyor, having worked with Christopher wren on the design and rebuilding of London after the Great Fire. In his spare time, Hooke was an inveterate instrument maker who had designs for barometers, telescopic sights, calculating machines, and watches. Unfortunately, Hooke suffered from mental illness and a host of physical ailments that led him to overmedicate himself. He wasn't a social man, and when he tried to be, his sharp personality often undermined his efforts. Among the details revealed here is what appears to be the only portrait of Hooke still in existence. HarpC, 2004, 422 p., b&w illus., hardcover, $27.95.