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Wallis, John (1616–1703): Communication, Controversy, and Scientific Practice in Early Modern England

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Encyclopedia of Early Modern Philosophy and the Sciences
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Synonyms

Classical studies; Correspondence networks; Disputes and quarrels; Mathematical training; Scientific societies

Introduction

As Savilian professor of geometry in the University of Oxford for over 50 years from 1649, and founder member of the Royal Society, John Wallis was a central figure in the scientific life of England in the second half of the seventeenth century. Unique among his British contemporaries, he recognized the value of open communication of scientific ideas for the promotion of human knowledge, engaged from early on in the Republic of Letters, and published widely through printed books and the new medium of the scholarly journal. His work in the fields of mathematics and mechanics was highly significant; he contributed decisively to the development of the calculus and the laws of motion, while also making important contributions to language theory, the calculation of Easter, calendar reform, logic, and theological discussions on topics such as justification and...

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References

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Beeley, P. (2022). Wallis, John (1616–1703): Communication, Controversy, and Scientific Practice in Early Modern England. In: Jalobeanu, D., Wolfe, C.T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Early Modern Philosophy and the Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31069-5_575

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