This book features the proceedings of a symposium organised by the National Committee for the History and Philosophy of Science, held in 1998. During the bicentenary of the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland, much attention was paid to the military and historical events of the period. The work of contemporary scientists was largely ignored by commentators. This volume seeks to redress the balance between history and the history of science and to place on record the achievements of Irish scientists in the late 1700s.