British University Observatories 1772–1939

Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book British University Observatories 1772–1939 by Roger Hutchins, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Roger Hutchins ISBN: 9781351954525
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 2, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Roger Hutchins
ISBN: 9781351954525
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 2, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

British University Observatories fills a gap in the historiography of British astronomy by offering the histories of observatories identified as a group by their shared characteristics. The first full histories of the Oxford and Cambridge observatories are here central to an explanatory history of each of the six that undertook research before World War II - Oxford, Dunsink, Cambridge, Durham, Glasgow and London. Each struggled to evolve in the middle ground between the royal observatories and those of the 'Grand Amateurs' in the nineteenth century. Fundamental issues are how and why astronomy came into the universities, how research was reconciled with teaching, lack of endowment, and response to the challenge of astrophysics. One organizing theme is the central importance of the individual professor-directors in determining the fortunes of these observatories, the community of assistants, and their role in institutional politics sometimes of the murkiest kind, patronage networks and discipline shaping coteries. The use of many primary sources illustrates personal motivations and experience. This book will intrigue anyone interested in the history of astronomy, of telescopes, of scientific institutions, and of the history of universities. The history of each individual observatory can easily be followed from foundation to 1939, or compared to experience elsewhere across the period. Astronomy is competitive and international, and the British experience is contextualised by comparison for the first time to those in Germany, France, Italy and the USA.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

British University Observatories fills a gap in the historiography of British astronomy by offering the histories of observatories identified as a group by their shared characteristics. The first full histories of the Oxford and Cambridge observatories are here central to an explanatory history of each of the six that undertook research before World War II - Oxford, Dunsink, Cambridge, Durham, Glasgow and London. Each struggled to evolve in the middle ground between the royal observatories and those of the 'Grand Amateurs' in the nineteenth century. Fundamental issues are how and why astronomy came into the universities, how research was reconciled with teaching, lack of endowment, and response to the challenge of astrophysics. One organizing theme is the central importance of the individual professor-directors in determining the fortunes of these observatories, the community of assistants, and their role in institutional politics sometimes of the murkiest kind, patronage networks and discipline shaping coteries. The use of many primary sources illustrates personal motivations and experience. This book will intrigue anyone interested in the history of astronomy, of telescopes, of scientific institutions, and of the history of universities. The history of each individual observatory can easily be followed from foundation to 1939, or compared to experience elsewhere across the period. Astronomy is competitive and international, and the British experience is contextualised by comparison for the first time to those in Germany, France, Italy and the USA.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Classical Rhetoric and Modern Public Relations by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Perspectives on Perception and Action by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Making Language Matter by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Fundamentals of Total Quality Management by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Gender Injustice by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Theodoret of Cyrus by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Materan Contradictions by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book A Profile of the American Electorate by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Economic Theory and Policy amidst Global Discontent by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Technocrime and Criminological Theory by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book City Edge by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Lesbian Ex-Lovers by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book The Craft of Comedy by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book The Border Multiple by Roger Hutchins
Cover of the book Citizenship Through Secondary Religious Education by Roger Hutchins
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy