Table of Contents

List of contributors; Preface; Introduction Michael Shortland and Richard Yeo; 1. Existential projects and existential choice in science: science biography as an edifying genre Thomas Söderqvist; 2. Life paths: autobiography, science and the French Revolution Dorinda Outram; 3. From science to wisdom: Humphry Davy's life David Knight; 4. Robert Boyle and the dilemma of biography in the age of the scientific revolution Michael Hunter; 5. Alphabetical lives: scientific biography in historical dictionaries and encyclopedias Richard Yeo; 6. The scientist as hero: public images of Michael Faraday Geoffrey Cantor; 7. Tactful organising and executive power: biographies of Florence Nightingale for girls Martha Vicinus; 8. Taking histories, medical lives: Thomas Beddoes and biography Roy Porter; 9. The scientist as patron and patriotic symbol: the changing reputation of Joseph Banks John Gascoigne; 10. Metabiographical reflections on Charles Darwin James Moore; Index.

Promotional Information

Collects together original essays by leading historians of science on the nature and development of scientific biography.

Reviews

From the hardback review: 'This work makes for some stimulating reading and is well timed in that it has appeared when there is a notable resurgence of interest in scientific biography.' Dennis H. Rouvray, Endeavour From the hardback review: '... a stimulating collection of essays.' Colin A. Russell, European Review From the hardback review: 'This collection of essays is useful and timely.' Ludmilla Jordanova, Metascience