Passages from the Life of a Philosopher

"Passages from the Life of a Philosopher" by Charles Babbage is a blend of autobiography and philosophical thoughts from the 1800s. It tells the story of the inventor’s life, focusing on his work creating calculating machines like the Difference Engine, and the problems and successes that came with it. Starting with a funny look at his family history, it shows how he looked at identity and what it means to have a famous last name. It shares key experiences and early memories, such as getting lost on London Bridge and almost being accidentally poisoned, that show his curiosity and how he grew into a philosopher.