Physico-Theology

By: William Derham

Collection ID

PBK.005361

Type

Printed Book

Date

1720

Geography

England

Language

English

Medium

Printed on Paper

Dimensions

7.7 × 4.9 × 1.4 in. (19.5 × 12.5 × 3.5 cm)

Exhibit Location

Not on View

William Derham was a prominent English clergyman who made notable contributions to early modern science and technology. His most influential work, however, dealt with the relationship between God and nature. Building upon the earlier work of John Ray and other natural theologians, Derham’s 1713 Physico-Theology argued that the complexity and apparent design of nature revealed the existence and attributes of a designer. Derham’s worked laid the foundation for the field of physico-theology moving forward, including William Paley’s seminal Natural Theology with its famous analogy of the “divine watchmaker.” In this 1720 copy, a reader took notes on the age of the patriarchs in the margin of the text.

Printed in 1720 by William and John Innys, London, England. Acquired by multiple unidentified owners.[1] Acquired by John Stevenson, Scotland.[2] Acquired by 2020 by Ted Steinbock, private collector, Louisville, Kentucky;[3] Privately purchased in 2020 by Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.

Notes: [1] Multiple names are inscribed in the book, but most are damaged, faded, or illegible. At the top of the title page is an inscription reading, “[Earyl] glasg. 6[?].” The middle word almost certainly refers to Glasgow, where the book was printed, but the first word and subsequent number are unclear. Below this is “John” and an illegible last name, both of which have been heavily struck through. Below this is “Jas” for James, “J: doig,” “Alex[ander] Doig his Booke,” and “Raphael.” On the third page of the dedication is “Raphael Sil[?],” on page 131 is the name “H. Ruggles,” and on the rear flyleaf is “Doig 1796.” It has not been possible to identify these owners with certainty.[2] The name “John Stevenson,” inscribed in a relatively modern hand, appears in the top margin of the preface to the reader. Although this is a very common name, it may refer to John Stevenson, the Scottish minister and mycologist who wrote British Fungi. Both his location and interests make him a plausible owner of this book.[3] Before it was purchased by Ted Steinbock, this book was owned by an American library. The Library of Congress classification “BL180.D” appears in the top margin of the dedication, while the same call number plus an illegible note appear on the title page. It has not been possible to determine which library owned the book or when it left their possession.

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