John Herschel's Cape Voyage

Private Science, Public Imagination and the Ambitions of Empire

Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book John Herschel's Cape Voyage by Steven Ruskin, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Steven Ruskin ISBN: 9781351925150
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 8, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Steven Ruskin
ISBN: 9781351925150
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 8, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In 1833 John Herschel sailed from London to Cape Town, southern Africa, to undertake (at his own expense) an astronomical exploration of the southern heavens, as well as a terrestrial exploration of the area around Cape Town. After his return to England in 1838, and as a result of his voyage, he was highly esteemed and became Britain's most recognized man of science. In 1847 his southern hemisphere astronomical observations were published as the Cape Results. The main argument of Ruskin's book is that Herschel's voyage and the publication of the Cape Results, in addition to their contemporary scientific importance, were also significant for nineteenth-century culture and politics. In this book it is demonstrated that the reason for Herschel's widespread cultural renown was the popular notion that his voyage to the Cape was a project aligned with the imperial ambitions of the British government. By leaving England for one of its colonies, and pursuing there a significant scientific project, Herschel was seen in the same light as other British men of science (like James Cook and Richard Lander) who had also undertaken voyages of exploration and discovery at the behest of their nation. It is then demonstrated that the production of the Cape Results, in part because of Herschel's status as Britain's scientific figurehead, was a significant political event. Herschel's decision to journey to the Cape for the purpose of surveying the southern heavens was of great significance to almost all of Britain and much of the continent. It is the purpose of this book to make a case for the scientific, cultural, and political significance of Herschel's Cape voyage and astronomical observations, as a means of demonstrating the relationship of scientific practice to broader aspects of imperial culture and politics in the nineteenth century.

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

In 1833 John Herschel sailed from London to Cape Town, southern Africa, to undertake (at his own expense) an astronomical exploration of the southern heavens, as well as a terrestrial exploration of the area around Cape Town. After his return to England in 1838, and as a result of his voyage, he was highly esteemed and became Britain's most recognized man of science. In 1847 his southern hemisphere astronomical observations were published as the Cape Results. The main argument of Ruskin's book is that Herschel's voyage and the publication of the Cape Results, in addition to their contemporary scientific importance, were also significant for nineteenth-century culture and politics. In this book it is demonstrated that the reason for Herschel's widespread cultural renown was the popular notion that his voyage to the Cape was a project aligned with the imperial ambitions of the British government. By leaving England for one of its colonies, and pursuing there a significant scientific project, Herschel was seen in the same light as other British men of science (like James Cook and Richard Lander) who had also undertaken voyages of exploration and discovery at the behest of their nation. It is then demonstrated that the production of the Cape Results, in part because of Herschel's status as Britain's scientific figurehead, was a significant political event. Herschel's decision to journey to the Cape for the purpose of surveying the southern heavens was of great significance to almost all of Britain and much of the continent. It is the purpose of this book to make a case for the scientific, cultural, and political significance of Herschel's Cape voyage and astronomical observations, as a means of demonstrating the relationship of scientific practice to broader aspects of imperial culture and politics in the nineteenth century.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Heritage and Tourism by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book The Routledge Companion to Gothic by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book The Routledge Handbook of Energy Security by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Property Protection by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book School-based Curriculum Development in Britain by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book Surviving the Holocaust by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book Supporting Lifelong Learning by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book The Psychological Foundations of Culture by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book New Perspectives in Cultural Resource Management by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book Adapting to Financial Globalisation by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book The Art Of Drama Teaching by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book Media Reform by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book Dynamic Sustainabilities by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book Learning from Mistakes in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy by Steven Ruskin
Cover of the book Social, Political, and Economic Contexts in Public Relations by Steven Ruskin
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