author
John William Draper
1811–1882
A restless 19th-century thinker who moved easily between science, medicine, photography, and history, he helped bring some of the earliest photographs into view. He is especially remembered for pioneering work in photochemistry and for making one of the first detailed photographs of the Moon.
3 Audiobooks
History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science
by John William Draper
History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Volume II (of 2) Revised Edition
by John William Draper
History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Volume I (of 2) Revised Edition
by John William Draper
About the author
Born in St Helens, England, in 1811, John William Draper later settled in the United States and built a career that crossed several fields at once. He studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to teach at New York University, where he became an important figure in science and medical education.
Draper is best known as an early pioneer of photography and photochemistry. He is credited with making one of the first detailed photographs of the Moon, and his experiments also helped advance portrait photography at a time when the medium was still new and technically difficult.
Later in life, he wrote widely read historical works as well, including books on the development of Europe and on the relationship between science and religion. That unusual mix of scientist, physician, photographer, and historian has made him a striking example of the broad-minded 19th-century scholar.