SCIENTIFIC CENTENARIES IN 1942

Abstract

SCATTERED through the coming year are days which will mark the centenaries of some of the most famous men of all time. In happier circumstances, it may be presumed that already arrangements would be in progress for the commemoration of some of these centenaries on an international scale. But more urgent tasks lie ahead. Yet it may, perhaps, be hoped that such events as the tercentenary of the death of Galileo, the tercentenary of the birth of Newton and the bicentenary of Halley will not be allowed to pass quite unnoticed. It is unnecessary to recall how the researches and discoveries of these great pioneers are closely interwoven, but it may, perhaps, be permitted to recall Rigaud's words regarding the publication of Newton's “Principia”. In his essay on that immortal work Rigaud wrote: “Under the circumstances it is hardly possible to form a sufficient estimate of the immense obligation which the world owes in this respect to Halley, without whose great zeal, able management, unwearied perseverance, scientific attainments and disinterested generosity the Principia might never have been published.”