Skip to Main Content

Recommended Reading

These lists feature curated Lauinger Library materials.

November / December 2025

Alchemic Notions ~ Global Medieval Science

Sophia, Personification of Wisdom, Teaching Geometry - image from a 14th century illuminated manuscript

                                                  Sophia, the personification of wisdom, teaching geometry.                                                                                         Image from an early 14th century manuscript of Euclid's Elementa,                                                   as translated by Abelard of Bath.  London. British Library. Burney 275, f.293

Global Medieval Science

In the years between 400 ~ 1500 CE, the time period often referred to as the Medieval Period, peoples across the globe were already doing science. They were experimenting with the raw materials in their worlds to discover, analyze, create, and build in a quest to gain knowledge and to enhance their lives.  They did Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. They studied the atmosphere, the earth, the seas & rivers, rocks, animals, plants & the human body. While in some instances that scientific knowledge & discovery was not preserved and passed down to us, in many instances it was well documented in writing & extant artifacts. The books in the display, as well as the eBooks and Booth Special Collections books listed in this guide allow us a glimpse into the early science being done from East Asia - across to Europe.

 

Medieval Science in General ~ Books on Display

  • Cover art for the book A history of balance, 1250-1375 : the emergence of a new model of equilibrium and its impact on medieval thoughtA history of balance, 1250-1375 : the emergence of a new model of equilibrium and its impact on medieval thought
    B721 .K35 2014
    Kaye, Joel
  • Cover art for the book Artisan/practitioners and the rise of the new sciences, 1400-1600Artisan/practitioners and the rise of the new sciences, 1400-1600
    Q124.97 .L66 2011
    Long, Pamela O.
  • Cover art for the book Atomism in late medieval philosophy and theologyAtomism in late medieval philosophy and theology
    BD646 .A85 2009
  • Cover art for the book Before Galileo : the birth of modern science in medieval EuropeBefore Galileo : the birth of modern science in medieval Europe
    Q124.97 .F75 2012
    Freely, John.
  • Hermeticism and the scientific revolution : papers read at a Clark Library seminar, March 9, 1974
    BF1595 .W47
    Westman, Robert S.
  • Cover art for the book HexaëmeronHexaëmeron
    BS651 .G76 1982
    Grosseteste, Robert
  • Cover art for the book Medieval religion and technology : collected essaysMedieval religion and technology : collected essays
    T17 .W47
    White, Lynn
  • Cover art for the book Medieval science and technologyMedieval science and technology
    Q124.97 .W45 2004
    Whitney, Elspeth.
  • Cover art for the book Méthodes et statut des sciences à la fin du moyen âgeMéthodes et statut des sciences à la fin du moyen âge
    Q124.97 .M484 2004
  • Cover art for the book Misticall wordes and names infinite : an edition and study of Humfrey Lock's Treatise on alchemyMisticall wordes and names infinite : an edition and study of Humfrey Lock's Treatise on alchemy
    QD25 .L63 2011
    Lock, Humfrey
  • Cover art for the book Natur und Geist : von der Einheit der Wissenschaften im MittelalterNatur und Geist : von der Einheit der Wissenschaften im Mittelalter
    Q124.97 .N38 2008
  • Cover art for the book Nothing natural is shameful : sodomy and science in late medieval EuropeNothing natural is shameful : sodomy and science in late medieval Europe
    HQ76.2.E9 .C33 2013
    Cadden, Joan
  • Cover art for the book Reconfiguring the world : nature, God, and human understanding from the Middle Ages to early modern EuropeReconfiguring the world : nature, God, and human understanding from the Middle Ages to early modern Europe
    Q124.97 .O85 2010
    Osler, Margaret J.
  • Cover art for the book Science in the medieval world : book of the Categories of nationsScience in the medieval world : book of the Categories of nations
    Q124.97 .A5313 1991
    Andalusi, Said ibn Ahmad
  • Cover art for the book Science in Western and Eastern civilization in Carolingian timesScience in Western and Eastern civilization in Carolingian times
    Q124.97 .S36 1993
  • Cover art for the book Scribes of space : place in Middle English literature and late Medieval scienceScribes of space : place in Middle English literature and late Medieval science
    PR275.P48 G65 2019
    Goldie, Matthew Boyd
  • Cover art for the book Studies in medieval science : alchemy, astrology, mathematics, and medicineStudies in medieval science : alchemy, astrology, mathematics, and medicine
    Q126.8 .K52 1984
    Kibre, Pearl
  • Cover art for the book Studies in the history of culture and science : a tribute to Gad FreudenthalStudies in the history of culture and science : a tribute to Gad Freudenthal
    BM538.S3 S78 2011
  • Cover art for the book The art and science of logic : a translation of the Summulae dialectices with notes and introductionThe art and science of logic : a translation of the Summulae dialectices with notes and introduction
    B765.B23 S813 2009
    Bacon, Roger
  • Cover art for the book The beginnings of western science : the European scientific tradition in philosophical, religious, and institutional context, prehistory to A.D. 1450The beginnings of western science : the European scientific tradition in philosophical, religious, and institutional context, prehistory to A.D. 1450
    Q124.95 .L55 2007
    Lindberg, David C.
  • Cover art for the book The Cambridge history of scienceThe Cambridge history of science
    Q125 .C32 2003
  • Cover art for the book The Middle English Wise Book of Philosophy and Astronomy : a parallel-text edition : edited from London, British Library, MS Sloane 2453 with a parallel text from New York, Columbia University, MS Plimpton 260The Middle English Wise Book of Philosophy and Astronomy : a parallel-text edition : edited from London, British Library, MS Sloane 2453 with a parallel text from New York, Columbia University, MS Plimpton 260
    PR275.P44 G75 2013
    Griffin, Carrie
  • Medieval Scientists ~ A list of Individual Scientists included in the display

    Medieval Scientists ~ Books on Display

  • Cover art for the book Adelard of Bath, conversations with his nephew : On the same and the different, Questions on natural science, and On birdsAdelard of Bath, conversations with his nephew : On the same and the different, Questions on natural science, and On birds
    B765.A252 E5 1998
    Adelard, of Bath
  • Cover art for the book Demonstration and scientific knowledge in William of Ockham : a translation of Summa Logicae III-II : De Syllogismo Demonstrativo, and selections from the Prologue to the OrdinatioDemonstration and scientific knowledge in William of Ockham : a translation of Summa Logicae III-II : De Syllogismo Demonstrativo, and selections from the Prologue to the Ordinatio
    BD161 .L66 2007
    Longeway, John
  • Cover art for the book Hildegard of Bingen : on natural philosophy and medicine : selections from Cause et cureHildegard of Bingen : on natural philosophy and medicine : selections from Cause et cure
    R128 .B465 1999
    Berger, Margret
  • Cover art for the book Hildegard of Bingen's medicineHildegard of Bingen's medicine
    R144.H54 S77 1988
    Strehlow, Wighard
  • Cover art for the book Introducing Nicholas of Cusa : a guide to a Renaissance manIntroducing Nicholas of Cusa : a guide to a Renaissance man
    BX4705.N58 I57 2004
  • Cover art for the book Mathematical theologies : Nicholas of Cusa and the legacy of Thierry of ChartresMathematical theologies : Nicholas of Cusa and the legacy of Thierry of Chartres
    BL265.M3 A53 2014
    Albertson, David.
  • Cover art for the book Metaphysics between experience and transcendence : Thomas Aquinas on metaphysics as a scienceMetaphysics between experience and transcendence : Thomas Aquinas on metaphysics as a science
    B720 .B4 n.F. Bd. 87
    Velde, Rudi te
  • Cover art for the book Michael Psellos : rhetoric and authorship in ByzantiumMichael Psellos : rhetoric and authorship in Byzantium
    PA5355.Z5 P37 2013
    Papaioannou, Stratis
  • Cover art for the book Ockham and Ockhamism : studies in the dissemination and impact of his thoughtOckham and Ockhamism : studies in the dissemination and impact of his thought
    B765.O34 C68 2008
    Courtenay, William J.
  • Cover art for the book Ockham explained : from razor to rebellionOckham explained : from razor to rebellion
    B765.O34 K44 2010
    Keele, Rondo
  • Cover art for the book Robert Grosseteste and the pursuit of religious and scientific learning in the Middle AgesRobert Grosseteste and the pursuit of religious and scientific learning in the Middle Ages
    B765.G74 R63 2016
  • Cover art for the book The dimensions of colour : Robert Grosseteste's De coloreThe dimensions of colour : Robert Grosseteste's De colore
    B765.G73 D4313 2013
    Grosseteste, Robert
  • Cover art for the book The division and methods of the sciences : Questions V and VI of his Commentary on the De Trinitate of BoethiusThe division and methods of the sciences : Questions V and VI of his Commentary on the De Trinitate of Boethius
    BT110.B65 T53 1986
    Thomas, Aquinas
  • Cover art for the book The first scientist : a life of Roger BaconThe first scientist : a life of Roger Bacon
    B765.B24 C55 2003b
    Clegg, Brian.
  • Medieval Science in Asia ~ Books on Display

    Medieval Science in the Hebrew / Judaic world ~ Books on Display

    Medieval Science ~ eBooks in Georgetown's Collections

    Under Construction !

    Please Check Back

    Medieval Science ~ A Selection of Materials from Booth Special Collections

    Under Construction !

    Please Check Back

    Creative Commons   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License. | Details of our policy