The Life and Work of James Bradley

The Life and Work of James Bradley: The New Foundations of 18th Century Astronomy is the first major work on the life and achievements of James Bradley for 190 years. This book offers a new perspective and new interpretations of previously published materials, together with various insights about recently researched sources.

This book is a complete account of the life and work of Bradley as discerned from surviving documents of his working archive, as well as other documents and records. In addition, it offers a new interpretation of Bradley’s work as an astronomer, not merely from his observations of Jupiter and Saturn and their satellites and annual aberration and the nutation of the Earth’s axis, but also his corroborative work with pendulums and other horological work with George Graham. It also explores the little amount documented about his private life including a degree of speculation about his personal relationships.

This work on 18th century astronomy is intended for students of the history of science, astronomy and 18th century English society, and for scholars seeking new lines of inquiry. It contains an extensive bibliography and a detailed chronology, both of which offer support for further reading and research.

John Fisher

John Fisher was a founding student of the Open University, graduating with a first class honours degrees and qualified as a chartered librarian. He graduated with an MA in Librarianship at City University and an MSc with Distinction from Imperial College in the History and Philosophy of Science. He has a PhD from Imperial College, with his thesis on the work of James Bradley. He has also worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Imperial College and as an Associate Lecturer of the Open University.