Laputian Newtons: the science and politics of Swift’s ‘Gullivers Travels’

Presenter: Greg Lynall

Published: March 2013

Age: 14-19 and upwards

Views: 1529 views

Tags: swift

Type: Lectures

Source/institution: Royal Society

GulliverÕs Travels (1726) contains probably the most famous satire on science in world literature, but the circumstances behind its composition are little known. In this talk, Greg Lynall explains how GulliverÕs ÔVoyage to LaputaÕ was shaped by Jonathan SwiftÕs animosity towards the Master of the Royal Mint, Sir Isaac Newton. What began as the airing of a personal and political grievance became an assault upon the foundations of scientific knowledge. Greg Lynall is Lecturer in English at the University of Liverpool.