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William Leitch
(20 May 1814 - 9 May 1864)
Scottish clergyman and astronomer who, after earning a Master's Degree in Mathematics and Science, went to divinity school and subsequently preached as a minister of the Church of Scotland for 16 years. Throughout his life, he maintained an interest in science as an astronomer, naturalist and mathematician. He went to Canada as principal of Queen's College, and managed the local observatory, giving public lectures on astronomy and other science subjects. In 1862, he published his best known work, God's Glory in the Heavens.
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Science Quotes by William Leitch (2 quotes)
Astronomy has revealed the great truth that the whole universe is bound together by one all-pervading influence.
— William Leitch
God's Glory in the Heavens (1862, 3rd Ed. 1867) 327.
In the infancy of physical science, it was hoped that some discovery might be made that would enable us to emancipate ourselves from the bondage of gravity, and, at least, pay a visit to our neighbour the moon. The poor attempts of the aeronaut have shewn the hopelessness of the enterprise. The success of his achievement depends on the buoyant power of the atmosphere, but the atmosphere extends only a few miles above the earth, and its action cannot reach beyond its own limits. The only machine, independent of the atmosphere, we can conceive of, would be one on the principle of the rocket. The rocket rises in the air, not from the resistance offered by the atmosphere to its fiery stream, but from the internal reaction. The velocity would, indeed, be greater in a vacuum than in the atmosphere, and could we dispense with the comfort of breathing air, we might, with such a machine, transcend the boundaries of our globe, and visit other orbs.
— William Leitch
God's Glory in the Heavens (1862, 3rd Ed. 1867) 3-4.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
