Networks of Knowledge in Middelburg around 1600: The Context of Isaac Beeckman as a Young Man

TY - CHAP

T1 - Networks of Knowledge in Middelburg around 1600

T2 - The Context of Isaac Beeckman as a Young Man

AU - Zuidervaart, Huib J.

N1 - https://www.aup.nl/en/book/9789463722537/knowledge-and-culture-in-the-early-dutch-republic

PY - 2022/6/29

Y1 - 2022/6/29

N2 - Isaac Beeckman’s innovative attitude to the study of nature has been attributed to his mixed training as both a craftsman and a scholar. More generally, the Dutch contribution to early modern science has been ascribed to three factors: (1) the easy mingling of scholars, merchants and craftsmen in the early Dutch Republic; (2) the vital role of the Dutch academic institutions as centres of both teaching and innovative research; and (3) a congruence of early scientifijic and mercantile activities and values in the early modern Dutch trading communities. Against this background, this chapter examines the question of which persons and circumstances have contributed to Beeckman’s early education in his birthplace Middelburg. Although it appeared possible to identify early modern Middelburg as a fertile melting pot of mercantile, artisanal and learned contacts, this study underpins Van Berkel’s earlier conclusion that the life of the young Beeckman unfolded for the largest part in a milieu of Flemish immigrants, with no demonstrable connection to the Middelburg learned community.

AB - Isaac Beeckman’s innovative attitude to the study of nature has been attributed to his mixed training as both a craftsman and a scholar. More generally, the Dutch contribution to early modern science has been ascribed to three factors: (1) the easy mingling of scholars, merchants and craftsmen in the early Dutch Republic; (2) the vital role of the Dutch academic institutions as centres of both teaching and innovative research; and (3) a congruence of early scientifijic and mercantile activities and values in the early modern Dutch trading communities. Against this background, this chapter examines the question of which persons and circumstances have contributed to Beeckman’s early education in his birthplace Middelburg. Although it appeared possible to identify early modern Middelburg as a fertile melting pot of mercantile, artisanal and learned contacts, this study underpins Van Berkel’s earlier conclusion that the life of the young Beeckman unfolded for the largest part in a milieu of Flemish immigrants, with no demonstrable connection to the Middelburg learned community.

KW - Isaac beeckman

KW - Middelburg

KW - 17th century

KW - History of Science

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9789463722537

T3 - Studies in the History of Knowledge

SP - 261

EP - 315

BT - Knowledge and Culture in the Early Dutch Republic

A2 - Berkel, Klaas van

A2 - Clement, Albert

A2 - Dixhoorn, Arjan van

PB - Amsterdam University Press

CY - Amsterdam

ER -