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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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William Gilbert
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(1544–1603) The author of the first English book of fully experimental science. He was a doctor by profession, physician to both Elizabeth I and James I. He made *magnetism his special study, publishing in 1600 De Magnete, magneticisque corporibus, et de magno magnete tellure (Latin for 'Of the magnet, of magnetic bodies, and of the earth as a great magnet'). He describes his experiments with magnetized metal bars, concluding that the earth has magnetic poles near the geographical poles and that it exercises an influence on other bodies in the solar system. The gilbert, the modern unit of magnetomotive force, is named after him.
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