Link to the Show / Show Notes
Francis Lucian Reid recently completed his PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK, in the History and Philosophy of Science. He talks about how fiscal restraint shaped the type of science the scientists involved in the New Zealand Institute (now the Royal Society) did. Predictably we moved
onto a discussion about one certain gentleman who did science in the mid to late 19th century New Zealand - Sir James Hector.
Francis admits that he could have written a rich and juicy biography about Hector. But the desire to understand the relationship between economics, politics and scientific institutions and to explore the type of ideas these gentlemanly scientists debated was just too fascinating! And the Museum Detective was suitably convinced.
To read more about Francis Lucian Reid's research click on this pdf link for an article about "class and professionalisation in the New Zealand Institute, 1867-1903" or here for a weblink article about science and colonial newspapers.
This wraps up a five-part mini series about Sir James Hector based on papers given by Simon Nathan, Conal McCarthy, George Gibbs, Jock Phillips and Francis Lucien Reid, hosted at Te Papa on 5 Nov 2007 and supported by the Royal Society and GNS.
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