The intellectual history of Europe in accordance with physiological principles so as to illustrate the orderly progress of civilization, with discussion of Europe's governments, topography, ethnology, and theology. Because it had an unusually positive view of the contributions of Muslim and Middle Eastern civilization to that of Europe, this book was immediately embraced by 19th century reformers in the Ottoman Empire. John William Draper (1811-1882), was an American scientist, philosopher, and historian. In 1839 he became professor of chemistry at the University of the City of New York. He helped organize the medical school of the university, became its professor of chemistry and physiology, and in 1850 succeeded as its president. A picture he took (1840) of his sister is the oldest surviving photographic portrait. Draper also made (1839-1840) the first photographs of the moon.