The Books That Made Scientists: Before They Were Famous, They Were Readers!

Home Careers The Books That Made Scientists: Before They Were Famous, They Were Readers!

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By Chu E. - February 2, 2025

Every great scientist starts somewhere: It’s usually not in a lab but in the pages of a book. Long before they made groundbreaking discoveries, they were curious readers, captivated by ideas that shaped their thinking. The right book at the right time can ignite a passion for exploration, challenge assumptions, and inspire a lifetime of discovery. What were the pages that sparked their genius? Let’s explore the books that left a lasting mark on the world’s most brilliant thinkers.

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“Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift

The Books That Made Scientists: Before They Were Famous, They Were Readers! — Source: amazon.com

“Gulliver’s Travels” captivated Charles Babbage, the pioneer of early computing, with its biting satire of society and science. The novel’s imaginative solutions to fictional problems mirrored his ambitious vision for the analytical engine, a machine he designed for complex calculations. Swift’s sharp criticism of human folly particularly resonated with Babbage, who often clashed with the scientific establishment of his time.

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“The War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells

Stephen Hawking loved reading books that mixed science with fiction, especially H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds.” The novel’s alien invasion storyline captured his imagination, complementing his research on black holes and cosmology. The book’s scientific speculation about extraterrestrial life aligned with Hawking’s own questions about humanity’s cosmic significance and potential threats from space.

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“Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson

“Treasure Island” captured the imagination of Erwin Schrödinger, mixing adventure with his love for uncovering mysteries. The physicist’s famous thought experiment about a cat demonstrated the same creative thinking he admired in the novel. Just as the book’s characters hunted for buried treasure, Schrödinger searched for hidden truths in quantum mechanics, each discovery revealing new secrets about the physical world.

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“The History of the Worthies of England” by Thomas Fuller

Isaac Newton, who revolutionized physics, found deep enjoyment in “The History of the Worthies of England,” a detailed account of notable English figures. The book appealed to his belief that scientific progress builds on past achievements. His careful documentation of his own scientific work reflected the same thorough approach he admired in this historical text.

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“The Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling

Jane Goodall cherished “The Jungle Book” for its portrayal of human-animal bonds, often immersing herself in Mowgli’s adventures as a child. Her early connection to Kipling’s stories shaped her empathetic approach to studying chimpanzees later in life. The narrative style she loved in the book influenced how she documented chimp behavior, helping her tell their stories in ways that made people care about wildlife conservation.

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“Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain

Nikola Tesla, an inventor with an artistic bent, connected deeply with “Huckleberry Finn” beyond its adventure storyline. The book’s exploration of freedom and society’s relationship with progress mirrored his own journey as a maverick inventor. Twain’s sharp observations about human nature resonated with Tesla’s experiences in the competitive world of scientific innovation.

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“The Once and Future King” by T.H. White

Neil deGrasse Tyson’s love for “The Once and Future King” underscores his belief in the power of storytelling to convey scientific concepts. This book, with its Arthurian mythos, provided Tyson with a narrative framework for understanding leadership and the ethical use of power, themes that resonate in his work as an astrophysicist and science communicator.

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“Poetry for Children” by Charles and Mary Lamb

Ada Lovelace found delight in “Poetry for Children” by the Lambs during her early years, a time when her home life blended literature with science. This mix of creative and analytical thinking shaped her revolutionary work in mathematics and computing. Her ability to see the artistic beauty in algorithms led her to approach computing with both scientific rigor and poetic imagination.

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“On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres” by Nicolaus Copernicus

While speculative, Marie Curie’s hypothetical interest in Copernicus’s work would reflect her broader fascination with science’s transformative power. As someone who revolutionized our understanding of matter through her work on radioactivity, Curie would appreciate how Copernicus shifted human perception from an Earth-centered to a Sun-centered universe.

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“The Natural History of Selborne” by Gilbert White

Charles Darwin’s reading of “The Natural History of Selborne” was more than just leisure; it was an intellectual touchstone. His appreciation for White’s detailed observations of local flora and fauna mirrored Darwin’s own methodical approach to studying nature, leading to his theory of evolution. The book’s emphasis on the interconnectedness of life in a small English village likely resonated with Darwin.

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“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

Thomas Edison, the prolific inventor, was intrigued by “Frankenstein” not merely for its gothic horror but for its profound questions about scientific responsibility. Edison’s fascination with the novel reflected his own contemplations on the ethical implications of his inventions, like the electric light or phonograph. He saw parallels between Victor Frankenstein’s creation and his own technological innovations.

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“The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Rachel Carson, an environmentalist ahead of her time, found in “The Secret Garden” a narrative that spoke to her soul. The book’s theme of nature’s healing power was a precursor to her advocacy for ecological awareness. Carson’s love for this story likely reinforced her belief in the restorative qualities of the natural world, which she later championed through her writing.

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“The Magic Pudding” by Norman Lindsay

Rosalind Franklin, known for her contributions to the understanding of DNA’s structure, had a lighter side reflected in her enjoyment of “The Magic Pudding.” This whimsical book, with its humor and absurdity, might have offered a respite from her intense scientific work. While her scientific legacy is serious, her appreciation for Lindsay’s work shows a love for literature that can amuse and entertain.

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“Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions” by Edwin A. Abbott

Richard Feynman, a physicist known for his playful approach to science, was captivated by “Flatland.” The book’s exploration of dimensions and perspective was a perfect fit for Feynman’s own curiosity about how the universe works at its most fundamental levels. His enjoyment of this narrative reflects his teaching methods, where he often used analogies and simple experiments to explain complex quantum phenomena.

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“The World Set Free” by H.G. Wells

Carl Sagan was drawn to H.G. Wells’ “The World Set Free” because it predicted both the promise and peril of atomic power. The novel’s warnings about scientific advancement matched Sagan’s own worries about technology’s double-edged nature. This perspective influenced his science communication work, including his famous book “Cosmos,” where he stressed public science literacy as crucial for society’s future.

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“Tales from Shakespeare” by Charles and Mary Lamb

Ada Lovelace’s reading of “Tales from Shakespeare” was part of her broader education in a household that valued both arts and sciences. This collection of simplified Shakespeare plays would have appealed to her for its blend of drama, poetry, and moral complexity. Lovelace saw in Shakespeare’s works the same kind of pattern recognition and narrative structure that she applied to her work with Charles Babbage, seeing algorithms as stories told in the language of mathematics.

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“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll

J. Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb, found solace and perhaps some philosophical reflection in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” The book’s surreal logic and questioning of reality might have resonated with him during the Manhattan Project, where he was confronted with the ethical and physical complexities of nuclear physics.

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“The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault”

Marie Curie, despite her intense scientific focus, appreciated the escapism provided by “The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault.” These stories, with their magical transformations and moral lessons, might have offered her a respite from the rigors of her research. Curie’s love for fairy tales highlights a balance between her rigorous scientific mind and a need for imaginative escape.

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“Heidi” by Johanna Spyri

Barbara McClintock, whose work on transposons or “jumping genes” was revolutionary, was drawn to “Heidi” for its depiction of isolation and connection with nature. Her own solitary work in genetics, often misunderstood by contemporaries, found a parallel in Heidi’s life on the mountain. The book’s themes of finding beauty and truth in simplicity might have been comforting to McClintock.

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“The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame

James Watson, co-discoverer of the DNA structure, enjoyed “The Wind in the Willows” for its themes of friendship and adventure. The camaraderie among the characters may have resonated with Watson’s own collaborative scientific journey with Francis Crick. The novel’s exploration of different personalities and their adventures in the natural world might have mirrored Watson’s own travels through the intellectual landscape of biology.

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“The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells

Linus Pauling, a chemist with a broad interest in science, was intrigued by “The Time Machine” for its speculative narrative on time and evolution. His appreciation for this book likely stemmed from its imaginative exploration of scientific principles applied to time travel, reflecting Pauling’s own innovative approaches to molecular biology and peace activism.

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“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott

Grace Hopper, a pioneer in computer programming, found in “Little Women” a source of empowerment. The strong, independent female characters might have inspired her to break through the gender barriers of her time. Hopper’s love for this book would reflect her own life’s narrative of determination and innovation, much like Jo March, teaching herself to program and conceptualize computing ideas that were revolutionary.

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“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe

George Washington Carver, who revolutionized agriculture through his research on peanuts and sweet potatoes, was deeply influenced by “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The novel’s portrayal of the injustices of slavery resonated with Carver’s own experiences and his mission to help his community through agricultural innovation. This book would have reinforced his commitment to education and self-improvement.

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“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien

Alan Turing, whose work was fundamental in developing modern computing, was known to enjoy “The Hobbit.” The book’s blend of logic puzzles and adventure could have appealed to Turing’s own love for problem-solving and his secretive work during WWII. The narrative of an ordinary person accomplishing extraordinary feats might have paralleled Turing’s own journey.

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“20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” by Jules Verne

Enrico Fermi, a key figure in the development of the nuclear reactor, was fascinated by Verne’s vision in “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” The novel’s exploration of the ocean’s depths and the potential of human ingenuity would have appealed to Fermi’s own sense of exploration in the atomic realm. His love for this book reflects the spirit of scientific adventure.

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“A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle

Sally Ride, America’s first woman in space, was likely inspired by “A Wrinkle in Time” for its blend of science fiction with strong female protagonists. The novel’s theme of tesseracting through space-time might have resonated with Ride’s own experiences in space exploration. Her enjoyment of this book would reflect her role in breaking gender barriers in science, much like the young Meg Murry’s journey to save her father.

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“Journey to the Center of the Earth” by Jules Verne

Niels Bohr, whose work on atomic structure was groundbreaking, would have been drawn to “Journey to the Center of the Earth” for its adventurous spirit and scientific curiosity. The novel’s exploration of the Earth’s inner mysteries would parallel Bohr’s own exploration into the atom’s nucleus, where he expanded humanity’s understanding of matter at its most fundamental level.

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“The Mysterious Island” by Jules Verne

Edwin Hubble, who discovered galaxies beyond our own, found a special connection with Jules Verne’s “The Mysterious Island.” The book’s focus on scientific problem-solving matched Hubble’s own experiences during his long nights at the telescope. Like the novel’s characters who used science to survive, Hubble used his knowledge to unlock the secrets of distant galaxies.

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“Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell

Linus Pauling, celebrated for his work in chemistry and peace advocacy, revealed in interviews that “Black Beauty” was one of his cherished childhood books. He was deeply touched by the narrative’s plea for kindness to animals, which resonated with his own philosophies on empathy and ethical conduct in science. Pauling often cited this book when discussing his humanitarian efforts.

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“The Swiss Family Robinson” by Johann David Wyss

Charles Darwin, before his voyages and groundbreaking theories, was captivated by “The Swiss Family Robinson.” He mentioned this book in his letters, highlighting how its portrayal of self-sufficiency and adaptation in nature sparked his youthful imagination. This adventure story likely played a role in shaping Darwin’s observational skills and his view of life’s interconnections in the natural world. And, guess what? Michael Faraday and Albert Einstein also loved this!

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“The Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses” by Robert Louis Stevenson

Edwin Hubble, whose observations expanded our understanding of the universe, enjoyed “The Black Arrow” during his childhood. In a rare personal reflection, he spoke of the book’s adventurous spirit and its historical setting, which paralleled his own explorations into the unknown territories of the cosmos. Hubble saw in the novel a narrative of discovery akin to his own scientific journey.

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“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum

Sally Ride, the trailblazing astronaut, connected with “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” During public speeches, she would reference this story, noting how Dorothy’s journey back home symbolized her own path in space exploration. Ride admired the book’s message about finding strength within oneself, a theme she felt was crucial during her pioneering space missions.

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“Five Children and It” by E. Nesbit

“Five Children and It” left a lasting impression on J. Robert Oppenheimer long before he led the Manhattan Project. The story’s magical Psammead granted wishes that often led to unexpected consequences, much like his later work in nuclear physics. During a lecture, he reflected on how the book’s moral lessons about responsibility foreshadowed his own struggles with the ethical weight of scientific discovery.

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“The Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain

Marie Curie first discovered “The Prince and the Pauper” in her Polish childhood, and the book’s message stayed with her throughout her scientific career. Twain’s story about switched identities and social inequality struck a chord with her belief that knowledge should be accessible to everyone. The book’s themes of justice and fairness matched her own approach to science, where she pushed for equal access to scientific discoveries.

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