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Article: Wilkins, John (1614–1672)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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WILKINS, JOHN (1614
–
1672)
WILKINS, JOHN
(1614
–
1672), an important figure in the history of science, religion, literature, and linguistics. As his many publications suggest, Wilkins possessed a wide-ranging intellect. His contributions to natural philosophy include the popularization of science, development of English scientific organization, creation of a universal language, and demonstration of the compatibility of religion and science.
The Discovery of a World in the Moone
(1638) and
A Discourse concerning a New World and Another Planet
(1640) introduced lay readers to Copernicanism and the implications of Galileo's telescopic observations, but literary figures ...