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Nationalizing Science: Adolphe Wurtz and the Battle for French Chemistry
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Nationalizing Science: Adolphe Wurtz and the Battle for French Chemistry Hardcover - 2000

by Alan J. Rocke


From the publisher

After looking at the early careers of Wurtz's two mentors, Liebig and Jean-Baptiste Dumas, Rocke describes Wurtz's life and career in the politically complex period leading up to 1853. He then discusses the turning point in Wurtz's intellectual life--his conversion to the reformed chemistry of Laurent, Gerhardt, and Williamson--and his efforts to persuade his colleagues of the advantages of the new system.

In 1869, Adolphe Wurtz (1817-1884) called chemistry a French science. In fact, however, Wurtz was the most internationalist of French chemists. Born in Strasbourg and educated partly in the laboratory of the great Justus Liebig, he spent his career in Paris, where he devoted himself to introducing German ideas into French scientific circles. His life therefore provides an excellent vehicle for considering the divergent trajectories of French and German chemistry--and, by extension, French and German science--during this crucial period. After looking at the early careers of Wurtz's two mentors, Liebig and Jean-Baptiste Dumas, Rocke describes Wurtz's life and career in the politically complex period leading up to 1853. He then discusses the turning point in Wurtz's intellectual life--his conversion to the reformed chemistry of Laurent, Gerhardt, and Williamson--and his efforts (social and political, as well as scientific) to persuade his colleagues of the advantages of the new system. He looks at political patronage, or the lack thereof, and at the insufficient material support from the French government, during the middle decades of the century. From there Rocke goes on to examine the rivalry between Wurtz and Marcellin Berthelot, the debate over atoms versus equivalents, and the reasons for Wurtz's failure to win acceptance for his ideas. The story offers insights into the changing status of science in this period, and helps to explain the eventual course of both French and German chemistry.

First line

This book has, among its other goals, a biographical intent.

Details

  • Title Nationalizing Science: Adolphe Wurtz and the Battle for French Chemistry
  • Author Alan J. Rocke
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 448
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher MIT Press, Cambridge
  • Date November 13, 2000
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780262182041 / 0262182041
  • Weight 1.92 lbs (0.87 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.3 x 6.31 x 1.24 in (23.62 x 16.03 x 3.15 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Wurtz, Charles Adolphe, Chemistry - France - History - 19th century
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 00041854
  • Dewey Decimal Code 540.944
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Nationalizing Science : Adolphe Wurtz and the Battle for French Chemistry
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Nationalizing Science : Adolphe Wurtz and the Battle for French Chemistry

by Rocke, Alan J

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