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Klappentext Gay-Lussac is best known for his chemical work but also made important contributions to other physical sciences and technology. This is the first work to examine critically both the scientific work and the man behind it. Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac (1778 1850) lived through three revolutions in France and his life reflected the social transformations taking place around him. His education and early progress in science depended on the Revolution of 1789 and on the patronage of the chemist Berthollet! a close associate of Napoleon Bonaparte. Gay-Lussac may be seen as the first 'professional' scientist and indeed! throughout the book! Professor Crosland emphasises that he knew how to use his science to solve practical problems and was able to profit considerably from this application. Zusammenfassung This is the first work to examine critically both the scientific work and the man behind it! and as well as providing the historian of science with a comprehensive account of the life and work of a major nineteenth-century scientist! the book will also be of value to the social and economic historian. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface; Chronological table; List of abbreviations; 1. A young provincial in Paris; 2. The apprentice of Arcueil; 3. Personal influences and the search for laws; 4. Collaboration and rivalry; 5. The volumetric approach; 6. Scientific research; 7. Professor, academician and editor; 8. A scientist in the service of government and industry; 9. A new technique and the dissemination of technical information; 10. Scientist and bourgeois in the political arena; 11. The legacy; Appendix; Notes; Select bibliography; Name index; Subject index.