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Co-winner of the Medical Journalists Association 'Open Book' award 2009
The Making of Mr Gray's Anatomy
Bodies, books, fortune, fame
Ruth Richardson
336 pages
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numerous halftones throughout
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234x156mm
978-0-19-955299-3
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Hardback
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23 October 2008
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- Gray's Anatomy is known as the 'Doctor's Bible': an illustrated textbook of anatomy that is still a household name 150 years since its first edition, known for its rigorously scientific text and fine illustrations
- Ruth Richardson here presents the 'anatomy of the anatomy' - revealing the stories of the remarkable people who came together to produce this unique book, examining its legacy as an intellectual and cultural artefact
- The story is framed within the history of Victorian London -- the changing culture and attitudes of the mid 19th century, driven by the social impact of science, the changing status of medicine, and religion, poverty and class
- Explores the skilled craftsmanship, technology, and artistry that went into the book's creation
- 2008 is the 150th anniversary of the first edition of Gray's Anatomy
Gray's Anatomy is probably one of the most iconic scientific books ever published: an illustrated textbook of anatomy that is still a household name 150 years since its first edition, known for its rigorously scientific text, and masterful illustrations as beautiful as they are detailed.
The Making of Mr Gray's Anatomy tells the story of the creation of this remarkable book, and the individuals who made it happen: Henry Gray, the bright and ambitious physiologist, poised for medical fame and fortune, who was the book's author; Carter, the brilliant young illustrator, lacking Gray's social advantages, shy and
inclined to religious introspection; and the publishers - Parkers, father and son, the father eager to employ new technology, the son part of a lively circle of intellectuals. It is the story of changing attitudes in the mid-19th century; of the social impact of science, the changing status of medicine; of poverty and class; of craftsmanship and technology. And it all unfolds in the atmospheric milieu of Victorian London - taking the reader from the smart townhouses of Belgravia, to the dissection room of St George's Hospital, and to the workhouses and mortuaries where we meet the friendless poor who would ultimately be immortalised in Carter's engravings.
Alongside the story of the making of the book itself, Ruth Richardson reflects on what made Gray's Anatomy such
a unique intellectual, artistic, and cultural achievement - how it represented a summation of a long half century's blossoming of anatomical knowledge and exploration, and how it appeared just at the right time to become the 'Doctor's Bible' for generations of medics to follow.Readership: This book will appeal to a wide audience - from readers of popular science to those with an interest in the history of science and medicine; academics and non-specialists interested in the cultural history of Victorian Britain; as well as doctors and medics wishing to find out the stories and characters behind one of the most iconic books in their field.
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Ruth Richardson, Affiliated Scholar in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Cambridge and Visiting Professor in Humanities, Hong Kong University. She is also Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
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"Engaging and beautifully illustrated." - Stephanie J. Snow, History Today "Richardson brings just enough fact to bear on her subject to make the book one of those rarities -- history that reads like a novel." - Wall Street Journal "An absorbing study." - The Scotsman, "Belongs in every library, private and public." - Gregory McNamee, Encyclopaedia Britannica Top Ten Reference Books of the Year "Thoroughly engaging." - New England Journal of Medicine "Well-researched book...it's one of the highlights worth reading over the festive season." - Paul O'Doherty, Irish Times "Ruth Richardson's history
is suitably elegant and detailed." - The Economist
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Introduction
1: The Words: Mr Gray of Belgravia
2: The Pictures: Dr Carter of Scarborough
3: The Enterprise: J.W.Parker & Son of West Strand
4: The Process of Creation: Person or Persons Unknown
5: The Raw Material: The Friendless Poor of London
6: The Process of Creation
7: The Process of Production
8: 1858: The Book Appears
9: Calamity
10: Futurity
Acknowledgements
References
Bibliography
Index
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The specification in this catalogue, including without limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations, and month of publication, was as accurate as possible at the time the catalogue was compiled. Occasionally, due to the nature of some contractual restrictions, we are unable to ship a specific product to a particular territory. Jacket images are provisional and liable to change before publication.
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