Interpreting science : JG Crowther and the making of interwar British culture
This thesis examines the place of science in interwar British culture, and challenges central narratives about the shape of interwar British science. Informed by histories of the nineteenth century that critique a process of professionalization and popularization, I argue that characteristics of nineteenth century science persisted much longer than is commonly assumed. In particular, I show that the boundaries of the scientific community were still quite fluid, that interpreting science for a broad audience was crucial for the making of science (both in the public sphere and in the scientific community, at a time of specialization), and that there were attempts to overcome a supposed divide between the sciences and the arts (in cultural productions and personal relations). These arguments are made through an examination of the life and work of J.G. Crowther (1899-1983). Crowther's life has not yet received extended treatment from historians, but this neglect belies his contemporary importance. Drawing on his extensive archive (and those of his peers) and reviews, I advance the notion of Crowther as a âman in the middle' â he was someone who mediated between practising scientists and the public and between
Hill-Andrews, Oliver
CT3200 Biography. By subject ; DA History of Great Britain
Interpreting science : JG Crowther and the making of interwar British culture. This thesis examines the place of science in interwar British culture, and challenges central narratives about the shape of interwar British science. Informed by histories of the nineteenth century that critique a process of professionalization and popularization, I argue that characteristics of nineteenth century science persisted much longer than is commonly assumed. In particular, I show that the boundaries of the scientific community were still quite fluid, that interpreting science for a broad audience was crucial for the making of science (both in the public sphere and in the scientific community, at a time of specialization), and that there were attempts to overcome a supposed divide between the sciences and the arts (in cultural productions and personal relations). These arguments are made through an examination of the life and work of J.G. Crowther (1899-1983). Crowther's life has not yet received extended treatment from historians, but this neglect belies his contemporary importance. Drawing on his extensive archive (and those of his peers) and reviews, I advance the notion of Crowther as a âman in the middle' â he was someone who mediated between practising scientists and the public and between
interpreting science make interwar british culture examines place science interwar british culture challenge central narrative shape interwar british science informed history critique process professionalization argue characteristic science persist much long commonly_assume particular show boundary scientific_community still quite fluid interpret science broad audience crucial making science public_sphere scientific_community time specialization attempt overcome suppose divide science art cultural_production personal relation argument_make examination life_work life yet_receive extended treatment historian neglect contemporary importance drawing extensive archive peer review advance notion man middle someone mediate practise scientist public