Revealing New Worlds : Three Victorian Women Naturalists

Sheffield, Suzanne Le-May

Published by Routledge (2001), London, 2001

About this Item

Ex-library. Some library stamps and markings. Library bar-code sticker on rear cover, not obscuring text. ; xvi, 252, [4 (blank)] pages. Illustrated boards. Page dimensions: 228 x 149mm. Illustrated. "The story of nineteenth-century science often tells a tale of a masculinized professionalizing domain. Scientific man increasingly pushed women out, marginalized them and constructed them as naturally feminine creatures incapable of intellectual work, particularly scientific work. Yet many women participated in various scientific endeavours throughout the century. This work asks why, when the waters were so inviting, did women dive deeply into the swirling maelstrom of scientific practice, scientific controversies and scientific writing? Victorian women certainly recognised that male naturalists were not always willing to welcome them warmly into their inner sanctum of scientific work honour and prestige. Moreover, they recognised the existence of a more general social stigma that thwarted any woman's participation in intellectual endeavours. However, their fascination with algology, botany and entomology led Margaret Gatty, Marianne North and Eleanor Ormerod to reach beyond acceptable gendered roles, to undertake field work, to paint, write, popularize, experiment and discover. Each exhibited a passion for their chosen field, a need for intellectual, artistic and scientific work, and a desire for scientific recognition and renown. This book examines the ability of women to understand themselves and respond to their needs as complex human beings. Within a framework of socially and scientifically constructed norms, these Victorial women used science as a path to self-awareness and intellectual accomplishment.". Seller Inventory # 25497

Bibliographic Details

Title: Revealing New Worlds : Three Victorian Women...

Publisher: Routledge (2001), London

Publication Date: 2001

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good-

Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket

Edition: First Edition.