The gradual acceptance of the Copernican theory of the universe

Dorothy Stimson  (1890  – 1988) was an American historian of science. Stimson served as the president of the History of Science Society during 1953-1957. Her research interest included the reception of the Copernican theory. She also edited a collection of papers byGeorge Sarton, considered to be the founder of the discipline of history of science.


This study does not belong in the field of astronomy, but in that of the history of thought; for it is an endeavor to trace the changes in people's beliefs and conceptions in regard to the universe as these were wrought by the dissolution of superstition resulting from the scientific and rationalist movements.