Passages from the Life of a Philosopher by Charles Babbage
QR code
"Passages from the Life of a Philosopher" by Charles Babbage is a semi-autobiographical account written in the mid-19th century. This work combines personal reflections with insights into the development of Babbage's inventions, particularly his pioneering work on calculating machines, including the Difference Engine. Through anecdotes and experiences across various social contexts, Babbage explores the challenges and triumphs he faced in the pursuit of knowledge and invention. The opening of the text introduces
Babbage's thoughts on ancestry and the value of a name, reflecting on his own family history and philosophical musings about identity. He begins with a humorous consideration of heritage, asserting that despite the perceived advantages of a distinguished lineage, it also brings expectations that can weigh heavily. Following this, Babbage shares early childhood memories filled with curiosity and inquisitiveness, particularly highlighting his fascination with understanding the world around him. He recounts formative experiences that shaped his budding philosophical outlook, including an adventurous episode of being lost on London Bridge and a humorous incident involving a near-poisoning. Together, these glimpses into Babbage's early life set the stage for the themes of exploration and rational inquiry that permeate the book. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
Kindle → Use Send-to-Kindle
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Upload it on the Amazon site your Kindle is registered with: amazon.com/sendtokindle for the US, amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle for the UK etc.
- It appears on your Kindle and in the Kindle app
Kobo, Nook etc. → Transfer via USB
- Download the EPUB3 file on your computer
- Connect your e-reader by USB and tap "Connect" on its screen
- Drag the file onto the e-reader drive
Phone, Tablet or Computer → Online or Reading App
Easiest: read online in your browser. Nothing to install.
Or use a reading app:
- Find and install one you like, for example Apple Books, ReadEra or Thorium Reader
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Open it in the app
More help: iPhone / iPad · Android · Computer
Other formats & older devices
There may be more files related to this item.
About this eBook
| Author | Babbage, Charles, 1791-1871 |
|---|---|
| LoC No. | 15003228 |
| Title | Passages from the Life of a Philosopher |
| Credits |
Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team and RichardW at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 57.9 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | QA: Science: Mathematics |
| Subject | Mathematicians -- Great Britain -- Biography |
| Subject | Babbage, Charles, 1791-1871 |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 57532 |
| ISBN (HTML) | 979-8-238-57532-2 |
| Release Date | Jul 18, 2018 |
| Last Update | Nov 9, 2020 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 2779 downloads in the last 30 days. |
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!