19th Century Science in British Education

The oldest surviving scientific society in the world, established in 1660. It was initially exclusive to men, with the first female fellow admitted in 1945. Membership in the Royal Society conveyed prestige and credibility, signifying significant scientific contributions.

A scientific organization founded in 1831. It became a crucial scientific society in the 19th century, hosting annual meetings in different towns across Britain. The British Association served as a platform for various scientific disciplines, fostering collaborations and discussions on the latest advancements.

A significant event in Victorian Britain that showcased industrial achievements from around the world. It was held in 1851 and organized by Prince Albert, promoting free trade and international peace.

A period in Britain marked by a shift from muscle power to steam power, leading to increased efficiency, division of labor, and rapid production within factories. This era ushered in the transformation of economic activities and societal structures.

A pioneering development in the Industrial Revolution, invented by James Watt in 1765. It converted steam pressure into power, initially used in mines for water evacuation.

Developed by George Stephenson in the 1820s, this steam-powered vehicle revolutionized transportation. The first railway line opened in 1830 between Liverpool and Manchester, with trains reaching speeds of 48 km/h.

A prominent engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), designed and built ships like the Great Western, significantly reducing travel time between Bristol to New York to 14 days.

A 19th-century belief that asserted the fundamental order of nature and society through a hierarchical system. It suggested a divine creation of species unchanged over time, with a clear lineage from simple to complex life forms, mirroring social hierarchies.

A theological approach that sought to understand nature as evidence of divine design and purpose. It emphasized the intricate harmony of the natural world as a testament to a divine creator.

An 18th-century English writer, William Paley (1743-1805), who developed an argument for the existence of God based on the design and intricate functions of the natural world. He used the analogy of a watch to illustrate the need for a designer.

Charles Darwin's grandfather, Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802), was known for his writings on evolution and the interconnectedness of life. He challenged traditional views of species immutability and promoted ideas of change and adaptation within nature.

A French naturalist, Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck (1744-1829), who proposed a theory of evolution through inheritance of acquired characteristics. He argued that organisms adapted to their environment through use and disuse of traits, which were passed down to offspring.

An anonymously published book in 1844 that explored evolutionary themes in a Lamarckian manner, rejecting natural theology and highlighting the interconnectedness of life. The author, Charles Chambers, remained anonymous until 1884.

A classification system developed by Charles Linnaeus (1707-1778) in his Systema Naturae (1735). It categorized species hierarchically, from the most inclusive (kingdom) to the most specific (species), providing a standardized framework for understanding the diversity of life.

An English political economist and demographer who argued that population grows exponentially while food resources increase arithmetically. This theory suggested a constant struggle for survival and resources, influencing Darwin's ideas on natural selection.

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, which proposed that species adapt and change over time through natural selection. This process favors individuals with traits that provide an advantage in survival and reproduction, leading to the gradual evolution of species.

A famous debate that took place at the Oxford meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1860. It involved Thomas Henry Huxley, a strong defender of Darwin's theory, and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce, representing the Church of England.

A term used to describe the belief that humans are classified into distinct categories based on their physical characteristics and perceived intellectual and moral abilities. This belief, often used to justify colonialism and racial discrimination, has been widely discredited as pseudoscience.

This 19th century movement advanced a powerful idea that science was essential for national prosperity and economic competitiveness. It advocated for increased government funding for scientific research and research institutions, especially in universities.

A societal belief in the first half of the 19th century that reinforced traditional gender roles, emphasizing women's domesticity and inferiority to men. It contributed to limiting women's access to education, employment, and legal rights.

This term refers to a legal practice prevalent in Victorian England, whereby a married woman's legal identity was absorbed by her husband's. This meant she had limited control over her property, finances, and even her own children.

An approach to studying human differences that emerged in the late 19th century, combining elements of biology, anthropology, and sociology. It aimed to identify biological and social explanations for gender differences, often reinforcing existing power structures.

The study of skull size and shape, used by some 19th-century scientists to claim a relationship between skull characteristics and mental abilities. This approach often reinforced racial and gender biases.

A pseudoscience that originated in Vienna, popularized by Franz Joseph Gall. It attempted to map mental faculties to specific brain regions, and claimed that these regions could be identified through skull shape. It was ultimately discredited by the scientific community.

The field of phrenology promoted the idea of self-improvement by promoting the idea that with knowledge of one's strengths and weaknesses, gained through skull analysis, individuals could enhance their mental faculties.

A term used to describe the acceptance and popularization of phrenology among the general public in Britain, particularly during the 1820s-1850s. Its appeal stemmed from its promises of personalized guidance in understanding human nature.

The gradual shift away from phrenology's acceptance within the medical community, particularly in the 1850s. It was met with resistance from established medical professionals and encountered challenges due to its reliance on pseudoscientific principles.

The complex relationship between science and the British Empire during the 19th century. Science was used to justify colonial expansion, categorize different cultures, and solidify the idea of a hierarchy of races.

A concept that emerged in the 19th century, often used to justify the expansion of the British Empire. It argued that more developed nations had a moral obligation to guide less developed societies towards civilization, often through the imposition of Western values, technology, and Christianity.

A branch of anthropology that focuses on the study of human cultures, customs, and traditions. It emerged in the 19th century during a period of British colonial expansion, influencing anthropological studies and shaping perceptions of different societies.

The view that the evolution of human races had a single origin, with variations arising through adaptation and environmental influences. Proponents often used this concept to emphasize human unity.

The theoretical perspective that suggests that human races are fundamentally distinct and unchanging, representing separate species with distinct origins and inherent differences. This perspective often justified prejudices and racial hierarchies.

This concept refers to the belief that biological traits and characteristics determine a person's abilities, behavior, and social status. This deterministic view has been widely criticized for its potential to justify inequalities based on race, gender, or other biological differences.