John William Draper

John William Draper was an eminent English polymath, whose contributions spanned various fields including science, philosophy, and photography. Born on May fifth, eighteen eleven, Draper made significant strides in the realm of portrait photography between eighteen thirty-nine and eighteen forty, and he is celebrated for capturing the first detailed photograph of the moon in eighteen forty.

In addition to his groundbreaking work in photography, Draper was a prominent figure in the scientific community. He served as the first president of the American Chemical Society from eighteen seventy-six to eighteen seventy-seven and played a pivotal role in founding the New York University School of Medicine, shaping the future of medical education.

Draper was also a prolific writer, with one of his most notable works being 'History of the Conflict between Religion and Science.' This book popularized the conflict thesis, suggesting an intrinsic hostility between religion and science, and gained widespread readership, being translated into several languages. However, it is now recognized for its minimal use of primary sources and is considered thoroughly inaccurate.

His legacy extends beyond his own achievements, as his family continued his scientific tradition. His son, Henry Draper, and granddaughter, Antonia Maury, were both accomplished astronomers, while his granddaughter Carlotta Maury made her mark as a paleontologist. Draper's eldest son, John Christopher Draper, was a chemist, and his son Daniel Draper pursued a career in meteorology.