The Life of Johannes Wislicenus (1835-1902)

本项目将继续研究，最终完成约翰内斯·威斯利森努斯（1835-1902）的传记，他是19世纪下半叶的一位重要的德国化学家，曾在z<s:1> rich（1860-1872）、w<s:1> rzburg（1872-1885）和莱比锡（1885-1902）领导化学实验室。这笔资金将用于支持PI在休假期间撰写传记，并为最终研究访问纽约、堪萨斯城、德国和瑞士的图书馆和档案馆提供资金。这本传记将利用以前未经审查的档案材料，并将讨论威利森努斯的化学，主要是他对原子理论和立体化学的倡导。它还将利用他的一生来探索19世纪德国科学的文化和制度主题，包括19世纪50年代德国科学与宗教之间的关系、科学与数学教育、19世纪化学的专业培训和科学“个性”的形成、哈勒、z<e:1>里奇、w<s:1> rzburg和莱比锡的化学制度历史，以及19世纪后期化学实践的代际变化。其中许多主题还没有被科学史家广泛研究过。第二个较小的项目是在PI所在的杜鲁门州立大学开设一门新的本科课程“生活在科学中”。潜在的更广泛的影响威利森努斯的传记将会增加由科学史学家撰写的对历史敏感的科学家传记的数量。这些传记性研究纠正了一种普遍但不正确的观点，即认为科学是一种非个人的活动。它们让我们看到科学家是如何被训练的更广阔的背景，并通过记录主要的智力影响和具体的社会互动，提供了科学是如何在特定的历史和个人背景下完成的例子。该项目的完成还将增加杜鲁门州立大学学生可以选择的科学史课程的数量。

IntroductionThis project is to continue research that will ultimately result in the completion of a biography of Johannes Wislicenus (1835-1902), a major German chemist of the last half of the nineteenth century who directed chemical laboratories in Zürich (1860-1872), Würzburg (1872-1885) and Leipzig (1885-1902). The grant will support the PI during a sabbatical leave to write the biography and provide funds for final research visits to libraries and archives in New York City, Kansas City, Germany, and Switzerland.Intellectual MeritThe biography will draw on previously unexamined archival materials, and will discuss Wislicenus' chemistry, primarily his advocacy for the atomic theory and stereochemistry. It will also use his life to explore cultural and institutional themes in nineteenth century German science, including the relationship between science and religion in 1850s Germany, science and mathematics education, professional training in nineteenth century chemistry and the formation of a scientific "personality," the institutional history of chemistry in Halle, Zürich, Würzburg and Leipzig, and generational shifts in chemical practice during the later nineteenth century. Many of these themes have not been studied extensively by historians of science. A second, smaller project is the creation of a new undergraduate course on "Lives in Science" at the PI's home institution, Truman State University. Potential Broader ImpactsThe biography of Wislicenus will add to the growing number of historically sensitive biographies of scientists written by historians of science. These biographical studies provide a corrective to a common, but incorrect view of science as an impersonal activity. They allow us to see the broader context of how scientists are trained, and provide examples of how science is done in a specific historical and personal context by documenting major intellectual influences and concrete social interactions. Completion of the project will also enhance the number of courses in history of science available to students at Truman State University.