I. Bernard Cohen

I. Bernard Cohen, born on March first, nineteen fourteen, was a distinguished American historian of science whose academic journey spanned an impressive sixty years at Harvard University. He began his tenure in nineteen forty-two and continued until two thousand two, during which time he played a pivotal role in shaping the field of history of science.

In nineteen sixty-six, Cohen became the inaugural chair of Harvard's Department of the History of Science, a testament to his expertise and dedication. His influence extended beyond his own research; he was a mentor to several notable scholars, including George Basalla, Lorraine Daston, Joan L. Richards, and Allen G. Debus, guiding them in their academic pursuits.

Cohen's scholarly contributions are extensive, particularly in the realms of Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, and Howard H. Aiken. He is perhaps best known for his full English translation of Newton's seminal work, Principia Mathematica, which has been instrumental in making Newton's ideas accessible to a broader audience. Additionally, he served as the second chief editor of the prestigious history of science journal, Isis, further solidifying his legacy in the field.