Bibliograph

Edward Lhwyd, c. 1660-1709, naturalist, antiquary, philologist, Brynley F. Roberts

Type

Label

Edward Lhwyd, c. 1660-1709, naturalist, antiquary, philologist, Brynley F. Roberts

Language

eng

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Edward Lhwyd, c. 1660-1709

Medium

electronic resource

Nature of contents

dictionaries

Responsibility statement

Brynley F. Roberts

Series statement

Scientists of Wales

Sub title

naturalist, antiquary, philologist

Summary

Lhwyd, the illegitimate son of a father ruined by the Civil War, had to make his own way in the world. A competent botanist before going up to Oxford as a student, he spent much time there at the Botanical Garden before being appointed to the newly established Ashmolean Museum, where he became its second Keeper. This biography traces the development of his research interests from botany to palaeontology - and then to antiquarian studies, which led to him studying the Celtic languages as a source of linguistic evidence in historical studies. Thus he became the founder of Celtic Studies. Lhwyd's diverse research interests were underpinned by an evidence-led methodology - the collection (by personal observation where possible) of material, which would then be classified as a preliminary to drawing conclusions - and, as such, his is a valuable contribution to the history of science

Target audience

adult

Classification