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William Whewell
William Whewell, (born May 24, 1794, Lancaster, Lancashire, England—died March 6, 1866, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire), English philosopher and historian remembered both for his writings on ethics and for his work on the theory of induction, a philosophical analysis of particulars to arrive at a scientific generalization.Whewell’s theological views, which gave rise to his ethical theories, have been assigned an importance secondary to his work in induction. -
Career
In 1814 he was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal for poetry.[9] He was Second Wrangler in 1816, President of the Cambridge Union Society in 1817, became fellow and tutor of his college. He was professor of mineralogy from 1828 to 1832 and Knightbridge Professor of Philosophy (then called "moral theology and casuistical divinity") from 1838 to 1855.[10][11] During the years as professor of philosophy, in 1841, Whewell succeeded Christopher Wordsworth as master. -
William Whewell Invention
Whewell invented the terms “anode,” “cathode,” and “ion” for Faraday. In response to a challenge by the poet S.T. Coleridge in 1833, Whewell invented the English word “scientist;” before this time the only terms in use were “natural philosopher” and “man of science”. Whewell was greatly influenced by his association with three of his fellow students at Cambridge: Charles Babbage, John Herschel, and Richard Jones. -
Scientist
Whewell corresponded with many scientists and intellectuals, and helped to create new terminology for their discoveries. Upon the request of the poet Coleridge in 1833 Whewell invented the English word “scientist;” before this time the only terms in use were “natural philosopher” and “man of science.” For Faraday he invented the terms “anode,” “cathode,” and “ion.”