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If his manuscripts were labeled "not fit to be published" then why are the Univ. of Sussex and Indiana Univ. going out of their way to publish Newton's work in
by budu3 12y ago
If his manuscripts were labeled "not fit to be published" then why are the Univ. of Sussex and Indiana Univ. going out of their way to publish Newton's work in Alchemy. Wouldn't this be against his wishes.
- kbenson 12y agoThese manuscripts, which had been labeled "not fit to be printed" upon Newton's death in 1727 ... To me it's unclear whether it's saying they were found labeled that way, or someone upon his death decided as such. I think the latter is more likely, but I'm not sure how common it was for people of the period, or more importantly Newton himself, to label papers as such.
- jessaustin 12y agoThe living owe nothing to the dead.
- knodi123 12y agoThe motto of grave robbers
- jessaustin 12y ago...and historians, and anyone who has ever devoted a moment's thought to the question.
- nemo 12y agoIt wasn't Newton who labeled them with the "not fit to be published" stamp, but his executor. That someone at some point didn't think something was worth publishing doesn't mean everyone will always see it that way.