Thomas Huxley Making the 'Man of Science' [Paperback]

This biography of Thomas Huxley reflects on the historical significance of scientific authority.This book examines the identity of the man of science in the Victorian period as it was shaped by Thomas Huxley, a leading naturalist and notorious popularizer of Darwinian theory. It shows that the scientific practitioner continued to be regarded as a moral and religious figure during the period, even by someone long taken to be the epitome of the secular, professional scientist. Breaking with traditional biographies, this book treats Huxley as exemplary of the British man of science and reflects on the historical significance of scientific authority.This book examines the identity of the man of science in the Victorian period as it was shaped by Thomas Huxley, a leading naturalist and notorious popularizer of Darwinian theory. It shows that the scientific practitioner continued to be regarded as a moral and religious figure during the period, even by someone long taken to be the epitome of the secular, professional scientist. Breaking with traditional biographies, this book treats Huxley as exemplary of the British man of science and reflects on the historical significance of scientific authority.This book examines the persona of the man of science in the Victorian period as it was shaped by Thomas Huxley, the leading British naturalist and notorious popularizer of Darwinian theory. It demonstrates how the scientific practitioner was regarded as a moral and religious figure; simultaneously considered to be the epitome of the secular, professional scientist. Breaking with traditional biographies, this fascinating portrait treats Huxley as the consummate British man of science and reflects on the historical significance of scientific authority.Introduction; 1. Science at home; 2. Gentlemen of Science? Debates over manners and institutions; 3. Science as culture; 4. The worship of science; 5. 'Darkest England': science and labor in the 1880s and 1890s; Conclulsˆ