Gilbert's book on magnets. Title page of the book 'De magnete' (1600) by English physicist William Gilbert (1544-1603). The full title (in Latin) is 'De Magnete, Magneticisque Corporibus, et de Magno Magnete Tellure' (On the Magnet and Magnetic Bodies, and on That Great Magnet the Earth). This work reported Gilbert's studies of magnetism and electricity. The Latin text includes the author's name (Guilielmi Gilberti) and says he is 'of Colchester, physician of London'. The text also describes the book as 'a new physiology, demonstrated by many arguments and experiments'. At lower centre is the printer's mark. The text names the printer (Petrus [Peter] Short), location (London), and publication year (MDC, 1600). This first edition consisted of 115 chapters, six books and 246 pages.