William Clifford suggests that the motion of matter may be due to changes in the geometry of space

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.07: English Writing and Culture of the Victorian Period, 1837-1901.
Vol. editors: Gillian Fenwick (University of Toronto), Jessica Gossling (Goldsmiths College, University of London)

Domains

Planetary Astronomy and Laws of Motion

Dates

Date of occurrence 1876

Places

United Kingdom (Location)

Resources

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In his pioneering work on non-euclidian geometry, William Clifford was an important forerunner of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. In his 1876 book,

On the Space-Theory of Matter

, he argued that the motion of matter may be due to changes in the geometry of space, implying that space can be bent. He suggested that both matter and energy are merely different forms of space. That same year, however, he had a breakdown, probably exacerbated by overwork, juggling teaching and research. Although he moved to Madeira in search of a more conducive climate, he died three years later. His career was thus cut off at the age of 33, and an output was brutally curtailed that might otherwise have gone even further.

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120 words

Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "William Clifford suggests that the motion of matter may be due to changes in the geometry of space". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 August 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=6347, accessed 19 April 2024.]

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