From Natural History to the History of Nature - by John Lyon & Phillip R Sloan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This collection of readings, published for the first time in any language, presents a selection of critical responses to the original publication of the Natural History by George Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1697-1788). Comments by Albrecht von Haller, Lamoignon de Malesherbes, Héault de Séchelles, and anonymous reviews from leading periodicals of the period are included. Substantial selections from the first volumes of the Natural History and important documents from Buffon's earlier works are also included. As much as possible, the authors have used entire selections, rather than brief excerpts.

Review Quotes

"[This] volume of selected translations from Buffon and his commentators focuses on Buffon as a central figure in the French Enlightenment. . . . [T]he readings are unified and enlivened by the common theme reflected in the title and highlighted in the long scholarly introduction. . . . [T]he texts trace Buffon's early work through the publication of the first three volumes of the History naturelle in 1749 and record that work's immediate reception." --Isis

"The volume is limited, reasonably enough, to the early Buffon and to the critical writings he provoked. And the main aim is to place the early Buffon in his context. But, of course, any future efforts to reinterpret Buffon's career and his Histoire as a whole will be aided by this view of the man and his magnum opus." --M. J. S. Hodge, Division of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Leeds

"This scholarly and conscientious book makes an important . . . contribution to the study and interpretation of Buffon, and so, too, to the Enlightenment generally. What John Lyon and Phillip Sloan have done is present English texts under four headings, so that we have, successively, a selection from Buffon's writings prior to the first (1749) volumes of his Histoire naturelle; pieces from these first volumes of 1749; immediate responses by the earliest critics, writing about the 1749 texts; and finally Hérault de Séchelles' essay on Buffon, Voyage à Montbard. Much of the material is in translations made by Lyon and Sloan themselves, and in many cases the texts are ones not previously translated into English. Moreover, at every turn Lyon and Sloan have provided highly informative notes and commentary. In a substantial and original introduction, they have discussed the nature of Buffon's natural history especially from an epistemological point of view. . . . The translations by Lyon and Sloan quite rightly put accuracy before stylistic appeal. . . . Altogether, then, the book is a very welcome addition to the Buffon literature." --Medical History

About the Author

John Lyon has taught in departments of history, great books, history and philosophy of science, humanities, liberal arts, language and literature, and education. He has served as educational consultant at two universities and held administrative posts in five. He has translated several works from French and published in the history and philosophy of science.

Phillip R. Sloan is professor emeritus in the Program of Liberal Studies and the History and Philosophy of Science Graduate Program at the University of Notre Dame.