Archetypes and Ancestors: Palaeontology in Victorian London, 1850-1875

By Adrian J. Desmond

Book Overview

"The social construction of scientific knowledge, clearly one of the most exciting trends in the history of science in the 1890's, has made a solid stride forward with the publication of Archetypes and Ancestors. . . . Adrian Desmond set out to determine how much light might be shed on the mid-Victorian controversies over fossil reconstruction by an investigation of the ideological commitments and political programs of London paleontologists. The answer is: a great deal of light. The resulting book is thoroughly fascinating."--Philip Rehbock, American Historical Review

"A sophisticated study of the colonization of scientific territory--specifically of rival attempts to design the dinosaur--and of the constructive (not just obstructive) role of social pressures in the making of 'lasting contributions' to science. Not least it is a joy to read, perkily irreverent at times and full of nice vignettes and memorable turns of phrase."--Roy Porter, Times Higher Education Supplement

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226143449
• ISBN13: 9780226143446
• Release Date: September 1986
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"