This eight-volume, reset edition in two parts collects rare primary sources on Victorian science, literature and culture. The sources cover both scientific writing that has an aesthetic component – what might be called 'the literature of science' – and more overtly literary texts that deal with scientific matters.

This eight-volume, reset edition in two parts collects rare primary sources on Victorian science, literature and culture. The sources cover both scientific writing that has an aesthetic component – what might be called 'the literature of science' – and more overtly literary texts that deal with scientific matters.

This eight-volume, reset edition in two parts collects rare primary sources on Victorian science, literature and culture. The sources cover both scientific writing that has an aesthetic component – what might be called 'the literature of science' – and more overtly literary texts that deal with scientific matters.

This eight-volume, reset edition in two parts collects rare primary sources on Victorian science, literature and culture. The sources cover both scientific writing that has an aesthetic component – what might be called 'the literature of science' – and more overtly literary texts that deal with scientific matters.

Starting in the 1850s achievement tests became standardized in the British Isles, and were administered on an industrial scale. By the end of the century more than two million people had written mass exams, particularly in science, technology, and mathematics. Some candidates responded to this standardization by cramming or cheating; others embraced the hope that such tests rewarded not only knowledge but also merit.Written with humour, Making a Grade looks at how standard...

Elwick explores how the concept of "compound individuality" brought together life scientists working in pre-Darwinian London. Scientists conducting research in comparative anatomy, physiology, cellular microscopy, embryology and the neurosciences repeatedly stated that plants and animals were compounds of smaller independent units. Discussion of a "bodily economy" was widespread. But by 1860, the most flamboyant discussions of compound individuality had come to an end in Britain. Elwick re...

In "Pioneers of Evolution from Thales to Huxley," Edward Clodd meticulously chronicles the evolution of evolutionary thought from ancient philosophers to the influential figures of the 19th century. The book is structured around significant intellectual milestones, intertwining biography, philosophy, and science in a narrative that captures the intellectual fervor of the time. Clodd's literary style is both accessible and scholarly, reflecting his dual commitment to rigorous academic analy...

In "Science & Education," Thomas Henry Huxley meticulously explores the intricate relationships between science, education, and society during the late 19th century. Employing a compelling blend of rhetoric and empirical evidence, Huxley advocates for the integration of scientific principles into the educational curriculum, arguing that such knowledge is paramount for the intellectual and moral development of individuals. Through his eloquent prose and lucid explanations, Huxley challenges...

Without it, life on earth would cease to exist. Air is invisible and yet always present in one way or another, and people have long associated air with flight, spirit, transcendence and optimism. But as humans have progressively taken control of air through communications, warfare, travel and scientific exploration, the perception of air has changed. No longer is air a completely reliable part of our daily life but is instead another piece of the environment that must be watched closely fo...

Gillian Beer's classic Darwin's Plots, one of the most influential works of literary criticism and cultural history of the last quarter century, is here reissued in an updated edition to coincide with the anniversary of Darwin's birth and of the publication of The Origin of Species. Its focus on how writers, including George Eliot, Charles Kingsley and Thomas Hardy, responded to Darwin's discoveries and to his innovations in scientific language continues to open up new approaches to Darwin...

In "Civilization: Its Cause and Cure," Edward Carpenter critiques the prevailing social structures of his time, arguing that civilization, as defined by industrial progress and capitalism, leads to the moral and spiritual degradation of humanity. He explores how the complexities and demands of modern society create alienation and discontent among individuals, straying them from their natural instincts and communal ties. Carpenter calls for a return to simpler, more organic ways of living t...

In "God and the World: A Survey of Thought," Arthur William Robinson embarks on a profound exploration of the philosophical and theological reflections surrounding the concept of divinity and its interrelation with the human experience. The book is both an analytical discourse and a literary tapestry woven with insights from historical and contemporary thinkers. Robinson'Äôs style is intellectually rigorous yet accessible, drawing on a diverse range of texts to illuminate the complexity of...