The eighteenth century is fascinating as the period when superstition gives way to the beginnings of modern science ( eg Newton practiced alchemy as well as discovering gravity)

Book recommendations from Sweetheartwhale:1) "The Lunar Men" - she can't remember the author's name but its about Wedgwood and his society of fellow scientists.2) "The Scottish Enlightenment", same sort of things but also has details on the politics and philosophy. Try amazon -should both still be in print.

Happy discovering!