Newtonian Philosophy, 1735

Updated August 6, 2026

Estimate: 50 / 500 s Gravesande, Willem Jacob (William-James). AN EXPLANATION OF THE NEWTONIAN PHILOSOPHY, IN LECTURES READ TO THE YOUTH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LEYDEN. London: Printed for W. Innys and R. Manby, Printers to the Royal Society, 1735. 8vo. [16] ,435 ,[13] pp. + 17 folding engraved plates. Period calf board expertly rebacked. FIRST ENGLISH EDITION of one of the earliest and most influential expositions of Newtonian science. Willem Jacob 's Gravesande (1688–1742), mathematician, physicist, and Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at the University of Leiden, was a friend and correspondent of Sir Isaac Newton and became one of the foremost advocates of Newtonian physics on the European continent. Illustrated through experimental demonstrations, the work explains Newton's principles of mechanics, optics, gravitation, and astronomy in a form accessible to students and educated readers. The present translation made one of the most important early Continental interpretations of Newtonian science available to an English-speaking audience and remains a landmark in the dissemination of Enlightenment scientific thought. Condition: Binding with some scuffs and general wear, a few of the folding plates with frayed edges, title with some edge-toning, contents clean overall with some occasional light foxing, one leaf with short closed tear (no loss), a few leaves (brief section) with marginal ink-stains.

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