Presidential address Experts and publishers
Writing popular science in early twentieth-century Britain, writing popular history of science now
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8392004 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Peter J Bowler (0000-0001-7432-2721, Queen's University Belfast, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2006 |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 159-187 |
| Publication date | 2006-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The British Journal for the History of Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0007-0874 • E-ISSN: 1474-001X |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s000708740600793x |
| OpenAlex | W2120672554 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 10 |
The bulk of this address concerns itself with the extent to which professional scientists were involved in popular science writing in early twentieth-century Britain. Contrary to a widespread assumption, it is argued that a significant proportion of the scientific community engaged in writing the more educational type of popular science. Some high-profile figures acquired enough skill in popular writing to exert considerable influence over the public's perception of science and its significance. The address also shows how publishers actively sought ‘expert’ authors for popular material, but at the same time controlled what was published in accordance with their perception of what would sell. At a more popular level of writing there were many semi-professional authors who, while not active scientists, exploited close contacts with the scientific community. Here there was a strong emphasis on the practical applications of science. The address concludes by suggesting parallels between popular science writing in this period and the present state of popular writing about the history of science
Aesthetics · Art · Epistemology · History of science · Literature · Media studies · Parallels · Pedagogy · Perception · Period (music · Political science · Popular science · Presidential address · Science communication · Science education · Scientific writing · Social science · Sociology · Engineering · Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes · History · History of Science and Natural History · Psychology · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices
Science popularisation as diffusion of knowledge
Clashes of Knowledge
The costs of being a restless intellect
Diversification or sensory unification? Controversies around the senses in fin de siècle culture
Ivory towers? The commercial activity of British professors of engineering and physics, 1880–1914
Introduction
Lilley revisited
The scientific claims of British child guidance, 1918–45
Stories of stones and bones
Advice for Improving Memory
| Unique citing works | 10 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,56 |
| Citation span | 2008 - 2024 (17) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 10 |