The Making of the Chemist: The Social History of Chemistry in Europe, 1789–1914

by Edited by David Knight , Helge Kragh

• ISBN13: 9780521090797
• ISBN10: 0521090792
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-11-27
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Modern chemistry, so alarming, so necessary, so ubiquitous, became a mature science in nineteenth-century Europe. As it developed, often from a lowly position in medicine or in industry, so chemists established themselves as professional men; but differently in different countries. In 1820 chemistry was an autonomous science of great prestige but chemists had no corporate identity. It was 1840 before national chemical societies were first formed; and many countries lagged fifty years behind. Chemists are the largest of scientific groups; and in this book we observe the social history of chemistry in fifteen countries, ranging from the British Isles to Lithuania and Greece. There are regularities and similarities; and by describing how national chemical professions emerged under particular economic and social circumstances, the book contributes significantly to European history of science.

Table of Contents

Foreword David Knight

The Big Three

The Organisation of Chemistry in Nineteenth-century

The Profession of Chemistry in France: the Soci_t_ Chimique de Paris/de France 1770-1914

Two Segments, One Profession: the Chemical Profession in German society 1780-1870

Origins, Education and Career Opportunities of the Profession 'Chemist' in the second half of the nineteenth century in Germany

Chemistry in an Offshore Island: Britain, 1789-1840

'A plea for Pure Science': the Role of Academia in the Making of the English Chemist, 1841-1914

A British Career in Chemistry: Sir William Crookes (1832-1919)

Medium Developed Countries

Developments of Chemistry in Italy, 1840-1910

The Evolution of Chemistry in Russia during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries

Seeking an Identity for Chemistry in Spain: Medicine, Industry, University, the Liberal State and the new 'Professionals' in the Nineteenth Century Agusti

The Profession of Chemistry in Nineteenth-century Belgium

Chemistry in Ireland

Chemistry on the edge of Europe: Growth and Decline in Sweden

On the Periphery

Out of the Shadow of Medicine: Themes in the Development of Chemistry in Denmark and Norway

Chemistry and the Scientific Development of the Country: the Nineteenth Century in Portugal Ant=nio

The Transmission and Assimilation of Scientific Ideas to the Greek-speaking world c. 1700-1900: the Case of Chemistry

The First Chemists in Lithuania

Individuals, Institutions and Problems: a Review of Polish chemistry between 1863 and 1918

Afterword: the European Commonwealth of Chemistry

Notes on contributors

Index

Maps of Europe in 1815 and 1914

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