An Astrological Diary of the Seventeenth Century by Michael Hunter

While tiny in size – I had to trim our standard Royal Society bookplate to fit the inside of the front cover – the book documents the life of a larger-than life character, whose name you’ll doubtless recognise if you’ve visited a certain museum in Oxford.Įlias Ashmole (1617-1692), from Newtoniana Volume II p.151 ( MS/648).Įlias Ashmole was born in Lichfield on, at ‘3 Hours 25 Minutes 49 Seconds A.M. We’ve just acquired a copy of a book by one of our earliest Fellows, Memoirs of the life of that learned antiquary, Elias Ashmole, Esq drawn up by himself by way of diary (1717): Rupert studied physics at the University of Exeter, and then went on to complete an MA in Information Services Management. His responsibilities include the development of the printed book collections, reader services and enquiry work, and tours of the Society’s home in Carlton House Terrace. 'About this title' may belong to another edition of this title.Rupert joined the Royal Society in 1997, and is the Library Manager. 'Both general and medical historians will enjoy this diary, it will sharpen their perception of everyday practices and make them cautious of generalizing about what was happening at the start of 'the age of reason.' Annabel Gregory has done a skillful job in transcribing the diary, Michael Hunter has written a splendid introduction, and both have produced brief but informative annotations to the text of the diary.'- Bulletin of the History of Medicine The diary has intrinsic interest, too, for the general reader in that it presents an invaluable view of daily life in a provincial town and of familial and business relationships within it.'- Albion Fresh insights into the changing intellectual temper of the time may be gained by studying this individual's presentation of his own private world which illuminates our understanding of contemporary assumptions and belief systems.

It will, without a doubt, provide an important source for social, intellectual, and religious historians as well as for the historians of science and astrology. 'This very useful edition of a previously unpublished later seventeenth-century diary is a welcome addition to the body of works in this genre in the period.

An Astrological Diary of the Seventeenth Century by Michael Hunter