Coulson, Thomas — Joseph Henry, His Life and Work

Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1950. Hardcover. 352 p. illus. ports. 24 cm. Very good condition/good, Signed by the author. A biography of Joseph Henry, one of the foremost American scientists of the 19th century. Henry was a pioneering physicist and the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, widely recognized for his contributions to electromagnetism, including the discovery of self-induction and the improvement of electromagnets. His work laid the foundation for later developments in electrical engineering and technology, including the telegraph.Coulson's biography is important because it provides a comprehensive account of Henry's scientific achievements, his role in advancing American science, and his leadership in establishing the Smithsonian Institution as a center for research and education. The book places Henry's work in the broader context of the 19th-century scientific community and highlights his contributions to fostering collaboration among American scientists.