Maupertuis (1698-1759)
La figure de la terre.
Figure of the earth, determined from observations made by order of the French king, at the polar circle
London : Printed for T. Cox ... C. Davis ... J. and P. Knapton ... and A. Millar ..., 1738
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This English translation of Maupertuis' tract on the figure, or shape, of the Earth. Maupertuis supported Newton's position that the Earth was a spheroid flattened towards the poles against Cassini's view that the Earth was a long spheroid. Marvellously written, it invokes the dangers of their voyage to Lapland to enhance the authority of their findings.
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