The Anatomists' Library

The Books that Unlocked the Secrets of the Human Body

Colin Salter

$59.99

Hardback

In stock
Ready to ship

QTY:

English

Quarto Books
03 October 2023

General & world history; History of medicine; Anatomy; Mathematics & Sciences

Series: Liber Historica

"The Anatomists Library is a fascinating chronological collection of the best anatomical books from six centuries, charting the evolution of both medical knowledge and illustrated publishing.

There is a rich history of medical publishing across Europe with outstanding publications from Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK, and also many from Persia and Japan.

Because of the high value of accurate medical textbooks, it was these works that pushed the boundaries of illustrated publishing. They commanded the expert illustrators and skilled engravers and hence didn't come cheaply. They were treasured by libraries and their intrinsic worth has meant that there is an incredible wealth of beautifully preserved historic examples from the 15th century onwardsThe enduring popularity of Gray's Anatomyhas shown that there is a long-term interest in the subject beyond the necessity of medical students to learn the modern equivalent - the 42nd edition (2020) - from cover to cover. But Englishman Henry Gray was late in the field and never saw the enduring success of his famous work. Having first published the surgeon's reference book in 1858, he died in 1861 after contracting smallpox from his nephew (who survived). He was just 34.

Gray was following on from a long tradition of anatomists starting with Aristotle and Galen whose competing theories about the human body dominated early medicine. However they did not have the illustrative skills of Leonardo da Vinci who was trained in anatomy by Andrea del Verrocchio. In 1489 Leonardo began a series of anatomical drawings depicting the human form. His surviving 750 drawings (from two decades) represent groundbreaking studies in anatomy. However none of Leonardos Notebooks were published during his lifetime, they only appeared in print centuries after his death.

Brussels-born Andries van Wesel (Andreas Vesalius) professor at the University of Padua is deemed to be the founder of modern anatomical reference with his 1543 work De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem (""On the fabric of the human body in seven books""). An Italian contemporary was Bartolomeo Eustachi who supported Galen's medical theories. Among other discoveries he correctly identified the Eustachian tube and the arrangement of bones in the inner ear. His Anatomical Engravings were completed in 1552, nine years after Vesalius's great work, but remained unpublished until 1714.

These are just two entries in a book brimming with an abundance of important illustrated works - with some more primitive examples from the 15th century, up to the 42nd edition of Gray's in the 21st."

By: Colin Salter
Imprint: Quarto Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 196mm,
ISBN: 9780711280748
ISBN 10: 0711280746
Series: Liber Historica
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 03 October 2023
Recommended Age: From 0 to 99 years
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

INTRODUCTION ANATOMY IN THE ANCIENT WORLD (3000 bce–1300 ce) MEDIEVAL ANATOMY (1301–1500) ANATOMY IN THE RENAISSANCE (1501–1600) THE AGE OF THE MICROSCOPE (1601–1700) THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1701–1800) THE AGE OF INVENTION (1801–1900) WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX PICTURE CREDITS ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Colin Salter is an author based in Edinburgh who has written on a broad range of subjects from light entertainment to hard science, from pioneers of the past to modern superstars.