The Teaching and Study of the History of Science at the University of California

Author(s): George Sarton

Source: Isis, Vol. 20, No. 1 (Nov., 1933), pp. 6-14
Published by: The University of Chicago Press on behalf of The History of Science Society
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 The Teaching and Study
of the Historyof Science
at the Universityof California

Having just returned from California, where I spent five delight-

ful weeks (from Jan. 4th to February 7th, I933), it occurred
to me that a report of my experiences and impressions might
be of interest to our readers.
It is simpler to state my conclusion at once: No university,
certainly no American university, has done as much to promote
the study of the History of Science as the University of California.
I think the following facts will make its leadership sufficiently
clear.
Let us first consider the regular courses on the subject. The
following list based on information kindly given by Professor
LARKEYis so impressive that it requires but little commentary.
Mathematics.-A special chair devoted to the history of
mathematics was created in I9I8 in favor of the late FLORIAN
CAJORI(I), who held it until I929 when he became emeritus.
This was one of very few chairs of its kind in the world. One
could not be too grateful to the University of California for that
creation which enabled Professor CAJORI to accomplish some of
his best work. By the way, this special creation suggests one
of the simplest ways of solving some of our problems. It may
be too onerous or too risky to create permanent chairs, but
universities would honor themselves by establishing temporary
chairs making it possible for historians of science of proved merit
and fecundity to fulfill more completely their purpose and to
deliver more effectively their message to the new generation.

(i) R. C. ARCHIBALD: FLORIAN CAJORI, I859-1930, (Isis I7, 384-407, 1932)

with portrait and bibliography.

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 THE TEACHINGAND STUDY OF THE HISTORYOF SCIENCE 7
A course on the history of mathematics (two hours a week
yearly) is now given by Dr. D. C. DUNCAN.
Astronomy.-A course on the history of astronomy is given
by Professor W. F. MEYER.
Physics.-Associate Professor VICTORF. LENZEN offers a course
on the history of physics. He discusses the fundamentalconcepts
and principles of mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism,
radiation and atomic structure.
Chemistry.-The history of chemistry is taught by Professor
W. C. BLASDALE.
Geology.-The history of geology, by Associate Professor
N. L. TALIAFERRO.
Geography.-A seminar in the history of geography is con-
ducted by Assistant Professor J. B. LEIGHLY. The topic for
I933 is the emergence of scientific geography in the nineteenth
century.
Botany.-The history of botany has been taught by Professor
W. A. SETCHELLfor so many years that he must be considered
one of our pioneers. He became professor of botany at the
University of California in I895 succeeding another pioneer of
botanicalhistory, that very strange character,EDWARDLEE GREENE
(I843-1915) (2). Professor SETCHELL'S interesting syllabi have
been registered in our critical bibliography.
Zoology.-A kind of seminar course is conducted by Professor
C. A. KoFoID. It is given conjointly by the departments of
anatomy, bacteriology,history of medicine, pharmacology,physio-
logy, and zoology.
Entomology.-The history of entomology is taught by Professor
E. 0. ESSIG,whose treatise on the subject: A historyof entomology
(New York, 193I) was reviewedin Isis, vol. 17, 447-50.
Psychology.-A course on the history of psychology is offered
by Professor G. M. STRATTON. Phases of ancient, medieval,
and modern psychology with particularattention to the nineteenth
and twentieth centuries.
Medicine.-A course is given at the Medical School in San

(2) Author of the Landmarksof botanical history, Part I. Published in the

Smithsonianmiscellaneouscollection (part of vol. 54, Washington, I909). See
note on GREmi by W. L. JrnsoN in Dictionary of Americanbiography(vol. 7,
564-5, 1931).

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8 GEORGESARTON

Francisco by SANFORDV. LARKEY, Assistant Professor of medical

history and bibliography.
In addition to these courses it should be mentioned that
Professor R. H. LOWIE, who is deeply interested in the history
of science, discusses certain aspects of it in his course on
Anthropologyentitled Chapters in cultural history.
The Departmentof Philosophyoffers a course on the Philosophy
of science, given by Assistant ProfessorP. MARHENKE. It consists
in an examination of contemporaryphilosophical interpretations
of the results and theories of the natural sciences with special
reference to the views of POINCARA,CASSIRER,and WHITEHEAD.
Finally the Department of History has cooperated with the
other departments in promoting the history of science. The
professor of mediaeval history, JAMES WESTFALL THOMPSON,
(formerly in Chicago), is especially interested in the subject,
as our readers well know (3). He has been preparing for years
a general bibliography of it, and has taken considerable pains
to increase the collections on the history of science in the library
of the University of Chicago (4).
Thus far I have dealt only with separate sciences, but many
efforts have been made since 1930 to introduce the teaching
of the history of science in general. Prof. CHARLES SINGER of
University College, London, arrived in the summer of that year
to deliver a course on the history of biology, which led to the
publicationof his admirabletextbook on the subject (5). Professor
L. J. HENDERSON of Harvard University was invited to come
for a semester in I93I and began a general course on the history
and philosophy of science, but illness obliged him to interrupt
it and the lectures were continued by Prof. LENZEN and Prof.
LARKEY. In 1932, Dr. SINGER returnedand gave a general course
on the history of science (the publication of which in bookform
is in preparation). In the spring semester this course was listed
under the Department of Zoology, but for the fall semester a
(3) J. W. THOMPSON: The introduction of Arabic science into Lorraine in
the tenth century (Isis, 12, I84-93, 1929), a " bahnbrechend" paper which has
been followed by various others by other authors in the same journal.
(4) M. LLEWELLYN RANEY: The University libraries. University of Chicago
Survey, vol. 7, 225-8, 1933.
(5) Not yet reviewed in Isis because of various accidents. A review of it will
soon appear.

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 THE TEACHING AND STUDY OF THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE 9
new departmentwas inauguratedcalled Departmentof the History
of Science.
ProfessorSINGER'Scourse was entitled " Lectures in the general
field of the history of the physical and natural sciences." It
may be worthwhile to add that it was open to juniors and older
men and was available as a free elective in the upper division
and as part of the majorin the following departments: astronomy,
botany, household science, paleontology, philosophy, and zoology
in place of 3 elective units; bacteriology, as a substitute for civil
engineering I24; physiology, as a substitute for zoology I17 B;
physics, as a substitute for any 3 units allowed in courses in
other departments.
In addition to this general course, Professor SINGER offered
another one on ".Scientific writings as literature," being assisted
in this interesting project by members of the departments of
English, Philosophy, and Medical History.
In the same year 1932, Professor HENRY E. SIGERIST, late
Director of SUDHOFF'S Institute in Leipzig and now Director
of the WELCH Medical Library in Baltimore, gave a few lectures
(see Isis, i8, I92). Finally my own appointment as Hitchcock
Professor was a continuation of the same general purpose.
It is certain that but for the occurrence of the financial
depression which curtailedconsiderablythe university's resources,
that new department would have been finally established on
a solid and permanentfoundation. I trust that it will be permitted
to continue its existence in a humbler way until better times
return. It would be unwise to lose the results of such long and
patient efforts. By bringing together from time to time all the
professors above mentioned and appointing one as secretary, it
should be possible to continue the department without additional
expenditure.
Two doctorandi are at present sponsored by the department,
Miss SONOMA COOPER, who is preparing a thesis on the medical
school of Montpellier in the Middle Ages (Isis, I5, 273) and
THOMASCOWLES,who is studying the publications of the founders
and early members of the Royal Society (6).
Dr. C. B. LIPMAN, Professor of plant physiology and Dean
(6) See his article on Dr. HENRY POWER,disciple of Sir THOMASBROWNE,tO
appear in Isis.

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10 GEORGE
SARTON
of the Graduate Division, and Dr. G. D. LOUDERBACK, Professor
of geology and Dean of the College, are both genuinely interested
in our movement, and they both realize keenly that much more
is involved than the history of science. It is clear that sooner
or later colleges will have to provide a general scientific and
cultural training for the many men and women who do not wish
to become specialized technicians but rather to understand the
scientific bearings of modern life. There is a growing need for
such men and women, as educators, historians, philosophers,
editors of scientificjournals,administratorsof scientificinstitutions,
keepers of scientific museums and libraries, publicists, and states-
men. And it is also clear that the history of science would con-
stitute an intrinsic part of such training. I have developed these
views so often andf in so many different ways that I need not
insist upon them at present. It is more to the point to say that
nowhere did I find a keener appreciation of them than at the
University of California, and the friendly atmosphere which I
enjoyed in Berkeley is partly due to the attitude of the two leading
deans.
The library facilities of the University of California are already
considerable and are rapidly increasing. In addition to the general
library, there are a number of private libraries, notably the
collection of anatomical, medical, and other scientific books made
by Professor HERBERT MCLEAN EVANS(7), the large collection
of biological and other scientific books made by Professor KOPOID,
the smaller one made by ProfessorSETCHELL. To these resources
must be added those readily available in the neighborhood, for
example, the library of the CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences, and
the Lane Medical Library, both in San Francisco. The Lane
Medical Library is the best medical library of west of Chicago,
and its historical department is remarkablystrong. It even in-
cludes a good collection of medical books and Mss. in Arabic,
Persian, and Turkish.
The Lane Medical Library is a part of Stanford University,
located near Palo Alto, in another part of the Bay. There is
some talk of organizinga medico-historicalseminarywhich would

(7) Now for sale. I hope the University of California will be able to obtain
possession of it.

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 THETEACHING
AND STUDYOF THEHISTORY
OF SCIENCE II
be common to both universities, University of California and
Stanford.
While I am mentioning Stanford, I may say that a course on
the history of science is offered there by Professor F. 0. KOENIG
of the Chemistry Department, who was one of my own students.
The historicalinterest of the University of Californiacommunity
is also evidenced by the existence of clubs: the CaliforniaMedical
History Seminar meeting at irregular intervals at the Bohemian
Club of San Francisco, and the Singer History of Science Club
meeting in Berkeley. The former club is organizedby CHAUNCEY
D. LEAKE, and the latter by THOMAS COWLESand EDITH
A. PICKARD.
The Bay of San Francisco is not the only center of interest
in our studies in California. Another exists in the south, in
Pasadenaand San Marino. There may be found in close proximity
three great institutions: the Henry E. Huntington Library, Art
Gallery, and Botanic Garden, the Mount Wilson Observatory,
and the CaliforniaInstitute of Technology. Each of these three
institutions has some points of contact with us. The Hun-
tington Library contains an exceedingly rich collection of books
which will be particularly valuable for the history of English
thought in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Properly
qualified students will find there perfect accomodations and
excellent help. Thanks to ROBERTA. MILLIKAN'S(8) generous
humanism the " Cal. Tech. " will gradually devote more and
more attention to our studies. Finally the Pasadena section of
the Mount Wilson Observatory contains the nucleus of a fine
collection of books on the history of astronomy. Among the
astronomers attached to it, Dr. EDWIN P. HUBBLEseems to be
especially interested in the history of his science. Nor should
I forget Dr. GEORGEELLERYHALE, the emeritus director of the
Mount Wilson Observatory, who has a rich historical collection
in his own private observatory,and has always had considerable
historical curiosity, witness the fact that he was one of the first
friends and patrons of Isis.
To these professional and official activities should be added
the private activities-as scholars and writers-of these men and

(8) See his Scienceand theNew Civilization,New York, 1930 (Isis, 14, 446-8).

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I2 GEORGE SARTON

of many others. To quote a single instance, Dr. H. HARRIS of

San Franciscohas recently published a California'sMedical Story,
which is a most delightful book of which we hope to publish
a review before long.
Long as this account is, it is still very incomplete-for I ought
to have said something of the endless courtesies extended to
me far beyond my deserts and of the abundant hospitality which
the good men and women of Californiashowered upon me, though
I had no claim to it, except my persistent devotion to the History
of Science.
HarvardLibrary, I85. GEORGE SARTON.
Cambridge,Mass., Feb. 2I, I933.

APPENDIX

LIST OF SARTON'S CALIFORNIA LECTURES IN I933.

Hitchcock Professorship

The Hitchcock Endowment Fund was established by the late Mr. CHARLES
M. HITCHCOCK as an endowment for " a professorship in the University of Cali-
fornia, for free lectures upon scientific and practical subjects but not for the
advantage of any religious sect nor upon political subjects."
The Hitchcock Endowment Fund has been very much enlarged recently through
the generous bequest of Mrs. LILLIE HITCHCOCK COIT, daughter of the late
CHARLESM. HITCHCOCK, and the endowment is now known as the Charles M.
and Martha Hitchcock Chair. With the increased income which now accrues
from the endowment it has become possible for the University to enlarge the
scope of work and extend the time for the visit here of the Hitchcock Professor,
thus making possible much more intimate contact between him and the students
and faculty members concerned. This carries with it the change of title from
Hitchcock Lecturer to Hitchcock Professor for persons appointed under this
foundation.
From I909 to 1932 there have been altogether 22 Hitchcock Lecturers
representing different branches of science, and three Hitchcock Professors: PETER
DEBYE, J. B. S. HALDANE, and GEORGE SARTON.

SARTON'S lectures were arranged as follows and delivered in

Room ii, Wheeler Hall, 8 P.M.:

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 THE TEACHING AND STUDY OF THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE 13
Medieval Scienceand Medieval Culture(with special reference
to the MediterraneanWorld and the Arabic writings)

i. January io The Unity and Diversity of the Mediterranean

-
World.
2. January I2- The Birth of Islam and the Development of
the Dar al-Islam.
3. Januaryi6 - The Golden Age of Arabic Culture.
4. January i8 - Some Remarks on the Arabic Language and
Literature.
5. January23 - The Arabic Tradition of Ancient Science.
6. January30 - Arabic Contributions to the Revival of Ancient
Science.
7. February i - The Decadence of Islam and its Causes.
8. February6 - Medieval Thought and Modern Life.
A ninth lecture on " The Muslim synthesis of Greek and
Jewish thought," to be placed between the 6th and 7th, was not
delivered. We hope to have these lectures published in book
form; they are still unwritten.

Other lectures (in Berkeley, except when otherwise stated)

io. Jan. I3 - Seminar on the Teaching of the history of science.

ii. Jan. I5 - SIMONSTEVIN(History of Science Club, Women's
Faculty Club).
I2. Jan. i8 - The study of nature in Islam (Seminar in biology).
I3. Jan. 20 -Second seminar on the Teaching of the history
of science.
I4. Jan. 2I - On the slowness of human progress (California
Medical History Seminar, Bohemian Club, San
Francisco).
I5. Jan. 26 - The History of Science and the New Humanism
(The University of Californiaat Los Angeles).
i6. Jan. 27 -- The meaning of mediaeval science (The Carnegie
Institution of Washington, Mt. Wilson Obser-
vatory. The Athenaeum, Pasadena).
I7. Jan. 3I - Magic, science, religion (Phi Beta Kappa chapter,
University of California).
i8. Jan. 3I - The rise and decline of Arabic science (Medical

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14 GEORGE SARTON

School of the University of California, San Fran-

cisco).
I9. Feb. i - Physical and chemical theories in the Middle Ages
(Physical seminar).
20. Feb. z - The History of Science and the New Humanism
(Stanford University, Palo Alto).
2I. Feb. 3 - Seminar on the Study of the History of Science.
22. Feb. 3 - The occurrenceand diffusionof inventions (Anthro-
pological seminar at Prof. H. M. ADLER'Sresidence).
23. Feb. 7 - Mediaeval science and its influence on modern
science. Final plea for the study of the History
of Science (San Francisco County Medical Society,
San Francisco).

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