Robert Jacobus Forbes
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Robert Jacobus Forbes or Robert James Forbes (21 April 1900, Breda – 13 January 1973, Haarlem) was a Dutch chemist and historian of science.
Forbes was of Scottish origin and a descendant of the Scottish theologian John Forbes of Corse. He spent much of his childhood in China.[1][2] He studied chemistry from 1917 to 1923 at TU Delft. From 1923 to 1958 he worked as a chemist for Royal Dutch Shell. In 1947 he was appointed a professor in the history of applied science and technology at the University of Amsterdam. From 1959 on he was a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
As science historian Forbes wrote about the history of technology,[5] particularly oil technology in the ancient world. He also wrote a book about Simon Stevin, describing Stevin's mill building and hydraulic engineering work. His work A history of science and technology, written with Eduard Dijksterhuis, proposed a synthesis of the history of science.
Selected works
- Notes on the history of ancient roads and their construction (Amsterdam: Nord-Hollandsche Uitgevers-mij, 1934);[8] 2nd ed., Amsterdam: Adolf M. Hakkert, 1964.[9]
- Reviewed by Jotham Johnson in American Journal of Archaeology 39, #3 (July–September 1935), pp. 427-428, JSTOR 498643.
- Reviewed by C. E. Stevens in The Classical Review 49, #2 (May 1935), p. 87, JSTOR 699882.
- Reviewed by I. A. Richmond in The Journal of Roman Studies 25 (1935), pp. 113-114, JSTOR 296571.
- Bitumen and Petroleum in Antiquity (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1936.)
- Bibliographia Antiqua: Philosophia Naturalis (10 parts in 6 volumes and 2 supplementary volumes, 1940–1963):
- 1: Mining and geology (#1-612), Leiden: Nederlandsch Inst. van het Nabije Oosten, 1940.[10]
- 2: Metallurgy (#613-4130), Leiden: Nederlandsch Institut van het Nabije Oosten, 1942.[11]
- 3/4: Building materials (#4131-4423), Pottery, faience, glass, glaze, beads (#4424-4895), Leiden: Nederlandsch Inst. van het Nabije Oosten, 1944.[12]
- 5/8: Paints, pigments, varnishes, inks and their application (#4938-5198), Leather, manufacture and application (#5199-5236), Fibrous materials (#5237-5544), Paper, papyrus, and other writing materials (#5545-5641), Leiden: Nederlandsch Inst. van het Nabije Oosten, 1949.[13]
- 9: Man and nature (#5642-7972), Leiden: Nederlandsch Institut van het Nabije Oosten, 1949.[14]
- 10: Science and technology (#7973-10751), Leiden: Nederlandsch Instituut voor het nabije oosten, 1950.[15]
- Supplement I: 1940-1950 (#10752-13240), Leiden: Nederlandsch Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten, 1952.[16]
- Supplement II: 1950-1960 (#13241-15234), Leiden: Nederlandsch Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten, 1963.[17]
- Supplement II is reviewed by Eugene S. Ferguson in Technology and Culture, 5, #4 (Autumn 1964), pp. 639-640, JSTOR 3101244.
- Short History of the Art of Distillation from the Beginnings up to the Death of Cellier Blumenthal (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1948)
- Man the Maker. A History of Technology and Engineering (New York: Henry Schuman, 1950)
- Reviewed by Cyril Stanley Smith in Isis, 42, #1 (April 1951), pp. 79-80, JSTOR 226692.
- Reviewed by Warren C. Scoville in The Journal of Economic History, 11, #2 (Spring 1951), pp. 196-197, JSTOR 2113154.
- Reviewed by H. T. Pledge in The British Journal of Sociology 2, #4 (December 1951), pp. 369-370, JSTOR 588096.
- Reviewed by John W. Oliver in Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 273 (January 1951), pp. 265-266, JSTOR 1026492.
- Reviewed by William F. Ogburn in American Sociological Review 15, #6 (December 1950), pp. 829-830, JSTOR 2086637.
- Studies in Ancient Technology (9 vols., 1955–1964; reprints and new editions, 1964–1993)
- 1: Bitumen and petroleum in antiquity; the origin of alchemy; water supply, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1955.[18] Second ed., 1964.[19] Third ed., 1993, ISBN 90-04-00621-4.
- 2: Irrigation and drainage; Power; Land transport and road-building; The coming of the camel, Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1955.[20] Second rev. ed., 1965.[21] Third ed. (reprint of second ed.), 1993, ISBN 90-04-00622-2.
- 3: Cosmetics and perfumes in antiquity; Food, alcoholic beverages, vinegar; Food in classical antiquity; Fermented beverages 500 B.C. - 1500 A.D.; Crushing; Salts, preservation processes, mummification; Paints, pigments, inks and varnishes, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1955.[22] Second ed., 1965.[23] Third ed., 1993, ISBN 90-04-00623-0.
- 4: The fibres and fabrics of antiquity; Washing, bleaching, fulling and felting; Dyes and dyeing; Spinning; Sewing, basketry and weaving; Weaving and looms; Fabrics and weavers, Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1956.[24] Second rev. ed., 1964, reprinted 1987, ISBN 90-04-08307-3.[25]
- 5: Leather in antiquity; Sugar and its substitutes in antiquity; Glass, Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1957.[26] Second rev. ed., 1966, ISBN 90-04-00625-7.
- 6: Heat and heating; Refrigeration, the art of cooling and producing cold; Light, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1958.[27] Second rev. ed., 1966, ISBN 90-04-00626-5.
- 7: Ancient geology; Ancient mining and quarrying; Ancient mining techniques, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1963.[28] Second rev. ed., 1966, ISBN 90-04-00627-3.
- 8: Metallurgy in antiquity, part 1; Early metallurgy, the smith and his tools, gold, silver and lead, zinc and brass, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1964. Second rev. ed., 1971, ISBN 90-04-02652-5.
- 9: Metallurgy in antiquity, part 2; Copper and bronze, tin, arsenic, antimony and iron, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1964. Second rev. ed., 1972, ISBN 90-04-03487-0.
- Review of vol. 1 by W. C. Brice in Man 56 (April 1956), p. 62, JSTOR 2793666.
- Review of vols. 2 and 3 by H. H. Coghlan in Man 56 (September 1956), pp. 125-126, JSTOR 2794973.
- Review of vols. 1-3 by Lynn White, Jr. in Isis 48, #1 (March 1957), p. 77, JSTOR 226906.
- Review of vol. 5 by R. J. Gettens in American Journal of Archaeology 63, #3 (July 1959), p. 285, JSTOR 501852.
- Review of vol. 6 by Lynn White, Jr. in Isis 51, #2 (June 1960), pp. 227-228, JSTOR 226869.
- Review of vols. 1-6 by W. F. Leemans in "Some Marginal Remarks on Ancient Technology", Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 3, #2 (August 1960), pp. 217-237, JSTOR 3596297.
- Review of vol. 7 by J. R. Harris in Isis 56, #1 (Spring 1965), pp. 90-92, JSTOR 228469.
- Review of vol. 7 by W. F. Leemans in Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 7, #2 (July 1964), pp. 206-208, JSTOR 3596242.
- Review of vols. 8 and 9 by H. Limet in Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 9, #3 (December 1966), pp. 309-313, JSTOR 3595950.
- Studies in Early Petroleum History (Leiden: Brill, 1958.)[29]
- More Studies in Early Petroleum History, 1860-1880 (Leiden: Brill, 1959.)[30]
- Reviewed by F. Klemm in Isis 52, #3 (September 1961), pp. 437-438, JSTOR 228097.
- Reviewed, with Studies in Early Petroleum History, by Martin Levey in Technology and Culture 2, #1 (Winter 1961), pp. 55-57, JSTOR 3101308.
- Reviewed, with Studies in Early Petroleum History, by Kendall Beaton in The Business History Review 34, #1 (Spring 1960), pp. 130-131, JSTOR 3111792.
- (with E. J. Dijksterhuis) History of Science and Technology (Penguin Books, 1963; 2 vols.)
- The principal works of Simon Stevin (1966)
- The Conquest of Nature: Technology and Its Consequences (New York: Praeger, 1968.)[31]
References
- 1 2 Lynn White, Lynn, Jr. (1974); Robert James Forbes (1900-1973). Technology and Culture, 15, #3 (July 1974), pp. 438-439.
- 1 2 Lefebvre, E., and de Bruijn, J.G. (1972-1973); Obituary. British journal for the history of science, 6 (1972-1973), p. 462. doi:10.1017/S0007087400012796
- ↑ Snelders, Harry A.M. (1973); Forbes, Robert Jacobus (1900-1973). Biografisch Woordenboek van Nederland, 1973.
- ↑ Wittop Koning, D.A. (1975); [Unknown]. Economisch- en sociaal-historisch jaarboek, 38 (1975), pp. 337-339.
- 1 2 Wittop Koning, D.A. (1975); Robert James Forbes. Janus, 62 (1975), pp. 217-221. Complete Bibliography on pages 221-233.
- ↑ Rupert Hall, A. (1976); Robert James Forbes (1900-1973). Archives internationales d'histore des sciences, 26 (1976), pp. 160-162.
- ↑ "R.J. Forbes (1900 - 1973)" (in Dutch). Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ↑ Forbes, R.J. Notes on the History of Ancient Roads and Their Construction. Amsterdam: Uitgeversmij, 1934. Print, OCLC 406562923.
- ↑ Forbes, R J. Notes on the History of Ancient Roads and Their Construction: 2. Unrev : Ed. Amsterdam: Adolf M. Hakkert, 1964. Print, OCLC 484066898.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Bibliographia Antiqua: Philosophia Naturalis: [- 1960]. Leiden: Nederlandsch Inst. van het Nabije Oosten, 1940. Print, OCLC 633867196.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Bibliographia Antiqua Philosophia Naturalis... A. D. 1939: 2. Leiden: Nederlandsch Institut van het Nabije Oosten, 1942. Print, OCLC 490547084.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Bibliographia Antiqua: Philosophia Naturalis: [- 1960]. Leiden: Nederlandsch Inst. van het Nabije Oosten, 1944. Print, OCLC 632730737.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Bibliographia Antiqua: Philosophia Naturalis: [- 1960]. Leiden: Nederlandsch Inst. van het Nabije Oosten, 1949. Print, OCLC 632730763.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Bibliographia Antiqua Philosophia Naturalis... A. D. 1939: 9. Leiden: Nederlandsch Institut van het Nabije Oosten, 1949. Print, OCLC 490554078.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Bibliographia Antiqua: 10. Leiden: Nederlandsch Instituut voor het nabije oosten, 1950. Print, OCLC 496323084.
- ↑ Forbes, R J. Supplement 1: Nos. 10752 - 13240 ; 1940 - 1950. Bibliographia antiqua : philosophia naturalis / R. J. Forbes, S,1. Leiden: Nederlandsch Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten, 1952. Print, OCLC 246384641.
- ↑ Forbes, R J. Supplement 2: Nos. 13241 - 15234 ; 1950 - 1960. Bibliographia antiqua : philosophia naturalis / R. J. Forbes, S,2. Leiden: Nederlandsch Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten, 1963. Print, OCLC 247974498.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: The Origin of Alchemy : Water Supply. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1955. Print, OCLC 418456604.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: 1. Leiden: Brill, 1964. Print, OCLC 180355272.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: Power : Land Transport and Road-Building : the Coming of the Camel. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1955. Print, OCLC 418456689.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: 2. Leiden: Brill, 1965. Print, OCLC 180355312.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: Food, Alcohlic Beverages, Vinegar : Food in Classical Antiquity : Fermented Beverages 500 B.c. - 1500 A.d. Crushing, Salts, Preservation Processeo, Mummification : Paints Pigments, Inks and Varnishes. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1955. Print, OCLC 418456736.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: 3. Leiden: Brill, 1965. Print, OCLC 310479493.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: Washing, Bleaching, Fulling and Felting : Dyes and Dyeing Spinning : Sewing, Basketry and Weaving and Looms : Fabrics and Weaters. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1956. Print, OCLC 418456783.
- ↑ Forbes, R J. Studies in Ancient Technology: Vol. 4. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1964. Print, OCLC 27718678.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: Sugar and Its Substitutes in Antiquity : Glass. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1957. Print, OCLC 418456854.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: Refrigeration, the Art of Cooling and Producing Cold, Light. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1958. Print, OCLC 418456904.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Ancient Technology: Ancient Mining and Quarrying and Quarrying : Ancien Minig Techniques. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1963. Print, OCLC 418456980.
- ↑ Forbes, Robert J. Studies in Early Petroleum History: With 16 Pl. and 32 Fig. Leiden: Brill, 1958. Print, OCLC 300163270.
- ↑ Forbes, R J. More Studies in Early Petroleum History, 1860-1880. Leiden: Brill, 1959. Print, OCLC 475921416.
- ↑ Forbes, R.J. The Conquest of Nature: Technology and Its Consequences. New York: Praeger, 1968. Print, OCLC 301300776.
External links
- (Dutch) Koninklijke Bibliotheek on Robert Forbes
- (Dutch) Biography in the Biografisch Woordenboek van Nederland