Or a True Guide to the Interpretation of Nature
Author: Francis Bacon
Publisher: Oxford – At the University Press
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
Year of Publication: 1855
MSU Library Call Number: B1168.E5K5
MSU Library Catalogue
Brief Description of the Contents: The Novum Organon is where Bacon advocates for a new science. One that rejects inherited assumptions, confronts human biases, and builds knowledge from careful, methodical observation. He advocates for the use of his “new instrument” which we come to know as the Scientific Method for exploring and learning in science. Additionally, he discusses how using inductive reasoning encourages observation and experimentation as the foundation of knowledge, rather than just relying on the pre-established principles. This was also meant to be a smaller part of Bacon’s unfinished “Instauratio Magna” which aimed to “reorganize” all human knowledge to advance science through inductive reasoning”.
A Brief Discussion of the Condition of the Book: This book has some signs of damage and discoloration to the pages. In addition there is also some visible damage to the spine of the book revealing some brown paper underneath.
The Author
Francis Bacon
Francis bacon (1561 – 1626) was an English philosopher and statesmen who argued for the importance of natural philosophy, the scientific method, and empiricism. He attended Trinity College at the University of Cambridge and was also a key influence in the scientific revolution.
Provenance Findings
James R. Thursfield
This name was found on the Pastedown End Leaf. He was a former owner of the book and also a co-author on this book in addition to writing on British Naval History and Journalism. He was educated at the Merchant Taylors School in the United Kingdom but was appointed to a fellowship of Jesus College, Oxford in 1864. Thursfield begun collecting materials for notes on Bacon’s first twenty-three essays but was unable to complete the work due to other literary engagements. MSU also contains 2 other texts of his including Nelson and Other Naval Studies and Two Centuries of Irish History: 1691 – 1870.
Link to Other Texts of His:
Other Thursfield Texts
Wikipedia:
Wiki – James R. Thursfield
* Other texts by Thursfield
J.H. Merriott
This name was found directly under Thursfield and was most likely donated to Merriott from him around 1859 or later; this can be seen with the letters d.d. or “Dono Dedit” meaning donated. J.H. Merriott was also a Fifth Monitor of the Merchant Taylors School, and elected post master of Merton College. This explains how Thursfield and Merriott knew each other considering they were both at the school around the time of this books print date and why Merton College is listed beneath the names; they are associated with both.
*Record of the Merchant Taylors School students, graduates, officials, etc.
William John Richards
This booksellers stamp contains the name W. J. Richards and the location Oxford. When doing research about this, I discovered a building in Oxford called the 104: Sanders of Oxford that housed a booksellers shop which was owned and operated from 1851-1884 by Charles Richards, and soon after his son, William John Richards.
* The 104: Sander Building
William DeRoy Chase
This name was found on the Free End Leaf with the date October 18th, 1947 which I can assume is when he acquired the book or at the very least wanted to make a note of. Chase was born and raised in Michigan and worked as a librarian in the Special Libraries Association as Editor and later as president of its Newspaper Division. He’s known for creating Chase’s Calendar of Events which became a respected reference guide to events, activities, space milestones, presidential proclamations and more. He passed away in 2020 but he and his wife, Helen Chase, donated their large collection of texts to Michigan State University in 2016.
The William D. Chase and Helen M. Chase are a significant collection of almanacs, calendar customs, and items dealing with chronology through the ages collected through out their marriage.
MSU William and Helen Chase Collection
Other Findings
This was found on the half title page and is a series of numbers and letters with some crossed out. Most likely they were a list of shelf marks or booksellers price codes written in but there is not much other identifying details to discern who wrote it and when.
Bibliography:
“William D. and Helen M. Chase Collection.” Michigan State University Libraries. Accessed March 25, 2026. https://lib.msu.edu/support/ebookplates/1263
Search home :: Library catalog. Accessed March 26, 2026. https://catalog.lib.msu.edu/
Merchant Taylors’ School, Founded A.D. 1561 …. United Kingdom: Merchant Taylors’ Company, 1861. (Google Books)
“William Chase Obituary (1922 – 2020) – Ann Arbor, Mi – Ann Arbor News.” Legacy.com. Accessed March 25, 2026. https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/annarbor/name/william-chase-obituary?id=8475957
“The Online Books Page.” Thursfield, James R. (James Richard), 1840-1923 | The Online Books Page. Accessed March 25, 2026. https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Thursfield%2C+James+R.+%28James+Richard%29%2C+1840-1923.
“James Thursfield.” Wikipedia, May 11, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Thursfield.
“Oxford History: The High.” The High, Oxford; No 104. Accessed March 25, 2026. https://www.oxfordhistory.org.uk/high/tour/south/104.html.
Project by: Gavin Rozanc
Class: HST 475 – Prof. Liam Brockey
Spring Semester 2026
A special thanks to Tad Boehmer and Prof. Liam Brockey for help this semester and with research.
