Before 'scientists' existed, an ambitious manifesto linked research to empire
In short: Discover how a 1667 publication served as a strategic blueprint for modern science. This lecture explores the early Royal Society’s quest to prove that experimental research was not just curiosity, but a vital investment in finance and global expansion.
In her lecture at Gresham College, Patricia Fara examines Thomas Sprat’s 1667 work, 'The History of the Royal-Society of London.' Rather than a simple historical account, Sprat framed the Society's activities as a manifesto to persuade Charles II that experimental research was economically and politically valuable.
The presentation highlights how the early Royal Society operated nearly two centuries before the term 'scientist' was coined. It reveals the deep interconnectedness between scientific inquiry, imperialism, and finance, illustrating how travel and experimentation were foundational to these three pillars of power.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 1667 and The Royal Society: A Manifesto for the Future - Patricia Fara
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