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Circulation: William Harvey, a Man in Motion
Diminutive, brilliant and choleric, William Harvey had a huge impact on anatomy and modern biology. Arguably the greatest Englishman in the history of science after Newton and Darwin, Harvey's obsessive quest to understand the movement of the blood overturned beliefs held by anatomists and physicians since Roman times. His circulation theory was as controversial in its day as Copernicus' idea that the earth revolved around the sun.
Set in the beating heart of late Renaissance London, Thomas Wright's vivid and visceral biography shows how Harvey drew inspiration not only from his dissections and vivisections, but also from the world around him: from England's bustling trade networks to technological developments of the time. It features a dramatic cast of historical characters, including Francis Bacon, England's Lord Chancellor and a recalcitrant patient of Harvey's; John Donne, a poet and preacher fascinated with anatomy and the human heart; and King Charles I, Harvey's beloved patron and witness to many of his experiments.
Harvey's circulation theory, in turn, permeated and altered the culture and language of its time, influencing poets and economists. To the dismay of the arch-Royalist Harvey, it also encouraged radical political ideas - and just as cherished anatomical orthodoxies could be toppled, so was the King during the Civil War. In more ways than one, Harvey's idea was truly revolutionary, yet astonishingly, it gained currency in his lifetime.
Circulationcharts the remarkable rise of a yeoman's son to the position of King's physician, offers a fresh interpretation of his ideas, and above all, celebrates a brilliant mind that epitomized a rich moment in England's intellectual history.
Set in the beating heart of late Renaissance London, Thomas Wright's vivid and visceral biography shows how Harvey drew inspiration not only from his dissections and vivisections, but also from the world around him: from England's bustling trade networks to technological developments of the time. It features a dramatic cast of historical characters, including Francis Bacon, England's Lord Chancellor and a recalcitrant patient of Harvey's; John Donne, a poet and preacher fascinated with anatomy and the human heart; and King Charles I, Harvey's beloved patron and witness to many of his experiments.
Harvey's circulation theory, in turn, permeated and altered the culture and language of its time, influencing poets and economists. To the dismay of the arch-Royalist Harvey, it also encouraged radical political ideas - and just as cherished anatomical orthodoxies could be toppled, so was the King during the Civil War. In more ways than one, Harvey's idea was truly revolutionary, yet astonishingly, it gained currency in his lifetime.
Circulationcharts the remarkable rise of a yeoman's son to the position of King's physician, offers a fresh interpretation of his ideas, and above all, celebrates a brilliant mind that epitomized a rich moment in England's intellectual history.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2012
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Thomas Wright
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 31, 2020
interesting read about william harvey who changed our ideas on blood circulation and the body
January 13, 2021
I didn't know anything about William Harvey before reading this, and it did provide a good overview. However, this book had a lot of filler especially in the first half of the book. Many of the chapters gave only trivial information which could have been cut out (e.g. the Cambridge Chapters). I understand that the author probably intended for this to add colour to the book and paint a picture of his life and influences as a whole, but for me, this just made the book harder to get into as I felt it made the book drag on unnecessarily. I did thoroughly enjoy the last couple of chapters on the impacts of Harvey's discovery and the sections on how this theory fit into the philosophical ideas of the time, but this wasn't enough for me to rate it higher unfortunately.
December 13, 2012
William Harvey was a doctor who, in 1628, published his theory of circulation detailing the workings of the heart and vascular system, much as we know them today. The cover of the book describes this as a 'revolutionary idea' which seems maybe a little far-fetched until you consider the state that the world of medicine was in at that time. Harvey's idea was more than just clever and even more than merely unconventional - it went against ideas that had been almost universally accepted as gospel truth for centuries, since the teachings of Galen in Roman times. Think about the kind of confidence (arrogance?) and innovation that it would take to challenge such widespread scientific beliefs and you will begin to realise that Harvey was the kind of strong and curious character that is really quite interesting to read about.
In the preface, Thomas Wright explains that many personal manuscripts of Harvey's and papers detailing his research have been destroyed over the centuries, victims of political unrest during the English Civil War and also in the Great Fire of London. I worried initially that this wouldn't bode very well for the rest of the book, but Wright does a great job of filling in the blanks to paint a lively portrait of society as a whole in Renaissance-era England. It's about so much more than Harvey himself. I really enjoyed reading about the gory details of Harvey's education in anatomy at a time when medical students were notorious for fighting in the streets and terrorising the town (anyone who has ever stumbled across a medical student pub crawl during Fresher's week might argue that little has changed). It was equally interesting to learn about his studies in natural philosophy and how some of his first supporters included the likes of Descartes. Wright also covers the attitudes of society at that time to issues that still prove controversial today, such as vivisection.
I felt that this was quite an objective account of Harvey that by no means views him through rose-tinted glasses. As someone who doesn't read many memoirs I was struck by the way Wright not only provides a running commentary of a person's life, but places it firmly in context by vividly illustrating the world they lived in.
In the preface, Thomas Wright explains that many personal manuscripts of Harvey's and papers detailing his research have been destroyed over the centuries, victims of political unrest during the English Civil War and also in the Great Fire of London. I worried initially that this wouldn't bode very well for the rest of the book, but Wright does a great job of filling in the blanks to paint a lively portrait of society as a whole in Renaissance-era England. It's about so much more than Harvey himself. I really enjoyed reading about the gory details of Harvey's education in anatomy at a time when medical students were notorious for fighting in the streets and terrorising the town (anyone who has ever stumbled across a medical student pub crawl during Fresher's week might argue that little has changed). It was equally interesting to learn about his studies in natural philosophy and how some of his first supporters included the likes of Descartes. Wright also covers the attitudes of society at that time to issues that still prove controversial today, such as vivisection.
I felt that this was quite an objective account of Harvey that by no means views him through rose-tinted glasses. As someone who doesn't read many memoirs I was struck by the way Wright not only provides a running commentary of a person's life, but places it firmly in context by vividly illustrating the world they lived in.
October 5, 2025
Although short, and an engaging and easy read, Wright's intellectual biography of William Harvey sets him in his philosophical context so tightly and is so thoroughly referenced, that it carries the gravitas of a much heavier work. Harvey's underappreciated importance in the history of science and thought could be promoted if this book reached the wide audience it deserves.
July 7, 2018
Having this book high on my reading list, I was quite excited to have my hands on it finally. Yet, it did not meet my expectations.
Greatly researched (considering what is left in primary sources following London’s Great fire and Cromwell’s escapades) for providing context, although some extrapolations were a bit much and not needed (Cambridge studies chapter). Surprised there is not Andy Gregory’s book (Harvey’s heart) in secondary sources which I would readily recommend if one wants to learn about Harvey and discovery of blood circulation - more succinct, clear explanations and less abundant information.
Take away lessons: if you want to change a thousand years old theory, seek for:
- credentials
- theoretical and experimental support
- patronage
- practical implications (WH failed in that - treatment still the same, no change in medical practice.. the ‘so what’ argument)
- connections
- family support
- favourable external influences (Descartes?)
Greatly researched (considering what is left in primary sources following London’s Great fire and Cromwell’s escapades) for providing context, although some extrapolations were a bit much and not needed (Cambridge studies chapter). Surprised there is not Andy Gregory’s book (Harvey’s heart) in secondary sources which I would readily recommend if one wants to learn about Harvey and discovery of blood circulation - more succinct, clear explanations and less abundant information.
Take away lessons: if you want to change a thousand years old theory, seek for:
- credentials
- theoretical and experimental support
- patronage
- practical implications (WH failed in that - treatment still the same, no change in medical practice.. the ‘so what’ argument)
- connections
- family support
- favourable external influences (Descartes?)
June 27, 2013
I feel a little connected to Harvey. I grew up in and around Folkestone (where my family still live), attended the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone, which was built and set up following instructions in his will, and many years ago I was awarded the annual prize from the Harveian Society of London for pursuit of medicine and biology (I got to go to a fancy dinner and received a cheque which was appreciated). Plus, I'm now a doctor. So, when I stumbled upon this I thought it would be fitting.
Thomas Wright has crafted an enjoyable and different take on Harvey. Given the scarcity of surviving information he has (quite openly) conjured a somewhat dramatic retelling of certain key instances in his life and filled in the gaps. If you can look beyond this artistic licence then we get more of a sense of the man (and it would be a pretty short story otherwise).
Taking it to another level, he grounds Harvey in his time both through the text and a series of essays detailing the era and theories that made up the world Harvey lived in. In doing so, he has tried to move away from the more modern interpretation of Harvey as empirical scientist performing evidence based medicine, back to his roots and education as a natural philosopher. A man of his time, this is brought vividly to life through a recreation of his world, providing a fascinating look into 17th Century Europe, not just from a medical perspective, but also a cultural, political and philosophical viewpoint.
His work may have irrevocably (albeit, gradually) changed medical understanding, kickstarting a philosophical shift through Descartes, yet it altered very little actual medicine at the time. They still continued with Galenic principles. Fascinating.
For anyone interested in the history of medicine, 17th century Europe and the changing wind, or those who are merely curious. A good read.
Thomas Wright has crafted an enjoyable and different take on Harvey. Given the scarcity of surviving information he has (quite openly) conjured a somewhat dramatic retelling of certain key instances in his life and filled in the gaps. If you can look beyond this artistic licence then we get more of a sense of the man (and it would be a pretty short story otherwise).
Taking it to another level, he grounds Harvey in his time both through the text and a series of essays detailing the era and theories that made up the world Harvey lived in. In doing so, he has tried to move away from the more modern interpretation of Harvey as empirical scientist performing evidence based medicine, back to his roots and education as a natural philosopher. A man of his time, this is brought vividly to life through a recreation of his world, providing a fascinating look into 17th Century Europe, not just from a medical perspective, but also a cultural, political and philosophical viewpoint.
His work may have irrevocably (albeit, gradually) changed medical understanding, kickstarting a philosophical shift through Descartes, yet it altered very little actual medicine at the time. They still continued with Galenic principles. Fascinating.
For anyone interested in the history of medicine, 17th century Europe and the changing wind, or those who are merely curious. A good read.
November 15, 2012
Not only a useful portrait of Harvey the man, but also a glimpse into 17th century society. It brought the world of the universities in Cambridge and Padua very much alive, and in passing you also get a vivid view of life in London at the time (as you do for Elizabethan London in Shapiro's 1599 - A Year in the Life of Shakespeare, and for the mid 16th century in Claire Tomalin's biography of Pepys).
I knew about the facts of Harvey's discovery, but it was interesting to consider how it fit into the context of intellectual tradition.
I knew about the facts of Harvey's discovery, but it was interesting to consider how it fit into the context of intellectual tradition.
September 28, 2024
If you’re looking for a book that is written more about the societal impact of anatomy than actual anatomy, then this is the book for you. It definitely gives an awesome glance into the life and social structure of the 1600s, with intimate quotes and sources from the period. Personally, though, I picked up this book to learn more about actual anatomy discoveries of the time, and I could barely get through this one. There was an entire chapter dedicated to how Harvey viewed his city’s plumbing like a circulatory system.
I also write this review as someone who is NOT a scholar. I read this book looking for interesting facts and anatomical learning, not an exploration of philosophy. It was written with admirable dedication and understanding of the subject. The author has obviously spent much of his life on this subject, and this is a beautiful reflection of that.
I also write this review as someone who is NOT a scholar. I read this book looking for interesting facts and anatomical learning, not an exploration of philosophy. It was written with admirable dedication and understanding of the subject. The author has obviously spent much of his life on this subject, and this is a beautiful reflection of that.
January 3, 2024
This is a book that I feel needs to be read but unfortunately the writing style and side shooting makes it a hard slog.
While i don't doubt understanding Hunters early life and university studies are interesting to see who he later becomes, I felt myself skimming and skipping ahead somewhat through this sections to the real meat and bones of his story.
The authors use of extra information which could have been applied to William Harvey's time could be viewed as unnecessary but as no one alive today really knows the truth it does add some flavour.
While i don't doubt understanding Hunters early life and university studies are interesting to see who he later becomes, I felt myself skimming and skipping ahead somewhat through this sections to the real meat and bones of his story.
The authors use of extra information which could have been applied to William Harvey's time could be viewed as unnecessary but as no one alive today really knows the truth it does add some flavour.
May 15, 2017
Engrossing and thoroughly entertaining.
4 / 5
4 / 5
October 18, 2019
They didn't like his ideas and I didn't like how he treated dogs
June 3, 2025
Lot of filler but an interesting look at the philosophy and life of a severe genius
April 4, 2015
Everybody know the fact that blood circulate our body now but when it was discovered at the time still old Greek physician's teachings govern whole medical world, it was never easy convince the world. Even William Harvey himself was not understands his discovery in new way of thinking, which was interesting to me. This book is about scientific discovery but also a story when scientist was called "natural philosopher". A lot of insight into how people (or academics) think in early 17th century.
May 13, 2016
A very in-depth look at the origins of blood circulation theory, and the man who came up with this revolutionary medical idea. While the first half of the book is a fascinating look at the state of medical science and politics in the closing years of the sixteenth century the book gets a bit bogged down in medical details towards the end. Still a very good read for anyone interested in anatomy or the history of medicine.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews