Robert Hooke: The Man Who Measured London

The script begins with Richard Wendorf, the Stanford Calderwood director and librarian of the Boston Atheneum, introducing the event and speaker, Lisa Jardine. He mentions that Jardine was unable to speak a year ago due to snow and expresses delight at her return. Wendorf outlines Jardine's impressive academic career, including her fellowship at Jesus College, Cambridge, her professorship at Queen Mary University of London, and her role as a judge for prestigious literary prizes. He also notes her frequent contributions to English newspapers and her published works, emphasizing her broad audience appeal and her interests in history, art, and science.

Jardine's accomplishments are further elaborated by Wendorf, who highlights her role in editing lives and letters and her honorary fellowship at Kings College, Cambridge. He also mentions her published works, including her book on the history of the Renaissance and the biography of Sir Christopher Wren. Wendorf emphasizes Jardine's ability to write scholarly books with a broad audience in mind, combining traditional history with art and science.

The introduction transitions into the main topic of Jardine's lecture, which is the life and work of Robert Hooke. Wendorf provides a brief overview of Hooke's significance, mentioning his friendship with Sir Christopher Wren and his contributions to science. He also hints at the challenges Hooke faced in gaining recognition for his work, setting the stage for Jardine's deeper exploration of Hooke's life.

Jardine delves into the details of Robert Hooke's early life, from his birth on the Isle of Wight to his education at Westminster School under the headmaster Richard Busby, a staunch royalist. She describes Hooke's father's death and how it influenced his life, leading him to Busby who became a father figure. Jardine also touches on Hooke's time at the school and his subsequent move to London, where he was apprenticed to the painter Peter Lilly.

Jardine discusses Hooke's transition from painting to scientific pursuits, mentioning his work with Robert Boyle on the air pump and his role as the first operator of the Royal Society. She highlights Hooke's contributions to the society and his partnership with John Wilkins, the founder and first secretary of the Royal Society. Jardine also touches on Hooke's relationship with Christopher Wren, emphasizing their shared history and collaborative work.

The narrative shifts to focus on Hooke's involvement in the rebuilding of London following the Great Fire of 1666. Jardine describes how Hooke became indispensable to the city's reconstruction efforts, serving as a city surveyor and working closely with Wren. She details Hooke's responsibilities in measuring the city and his role in creating new building regulations, showcasing his practical skills and dedication to the project.

Jardine discusses the architectural partnership between Hooke and Wren, highlighting their work on rebuilding London's churches and the iconic St Paul's Cathedral. She explains the structural innovations Hooke developed, such as the masonry cone design that supports the cathedral's dome, and how these contributions were crucial to the success of their architectural projects.

The lecture turns to Hooke's scientific discoveries, particularly his work with the microscope, which he detailed in his book 'Micrographia'. Jardine describes the groundbreaking images Hooke captured, such as those of a flea and a nettle, and how these observations laid the foundation for the biological sciences. She also touches on Hooke's coining of the term 'cell' and his broader scientific inquiries.

Jardine enumerates Hooke's various contributions to science, including his development of the balance spring mechanism for watches, which played a role in solving the longitude problem, and his invention of the universal joint. She also mentions his work on respiration and his role in scientific teamwork, emphasizing his collaborative spirit and inventiveness.

The final part of the lecture delves into Hooke's personal life, his relationships, and his legacy. Jardine discusses Hooke's unmarried status, his household management, and his relationship with his niece Grace. She also addresses the challenges Hooke faced in gaining recognition for his work, particularly in contrast to his contemporaries like Isaac Newton, and the unfortunate dispersal of his belongings after his death, which contributed to the loss of his reputation.