Ian Hembrow, ‘Celsius: A Life and Death by Degrees’ Book Launch

Author Ian Hembrow returns to Wolfson College to officially launch Celsius: A Life and Death by Degrees (The History Press, 2024), which he prepared during his time as Visiting Scholar at the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing. Celsius is the first, full-length English language biography of Swedish astronomer and Earth science pioneer Professor Anders Celsius (1701-44) – the man behind the temperature scale we all use every day.

The book reveals what Celsius’ extraordinary but tragically short life and career can teach us about our today and humanity’s tomorrow. Ian’s presentation will tell the story of this pioneering scientist, and recount his quest to follow in Celsius’ footsteps across Europe and beyond the Arctic Circle.

As our world faces the life-or-death challenge of global climate change, there’s much we can learn from Celsius, if we choose to listen.

Ian Hembrow was a visiting scholar at the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing between 2021 and 2023. This is his second book and first work of historical biography.

This launch has been organised in conjunction with Writers in Oxford. The event is free and open to all, however registration is required.