William Whewell, F. R. S. (1794-1866)

Abstract I. Academic life. By R. Robson II. Contributions to science and learning. By Walter F. Cannon [Plates 19 TO 22] I. Academic life By R. Robson Fellow oj Trinity College, Cambridge A S the centenary of his death approaches there are signs that the oblivion which overcame Whewell so soon after it is being dispelled. The increasing concern of scholars with the history and philosophy of science has naturally led some of them to an interest in one of their distinguished predecessors, and those who study the history of science in Whewell’s lifetime have sometimes seen him at the centre of what Dr Cannon has called a ‘network’ of Cambridge scientists. Some day these men may loom as large in the intellectual history of nineteenth-century England as Oxford theologians do now, and it may not be too bold to claim that in the academic history of the period the Master of Trinity should command equal attention with the Master of Balliol. But to how many of those acquainted with Jowett’s career is even the name of Whewell familiar? Whewell’s benefactions to Trinity and to Cambridge have, of course, kept his name at least in memory there, but he was widely known outside the University in his lifetime and has claims on the interest of those outside it even now. In the second part of this article Dr Cannon will discuss Whewell’s intellectual achievement. By way of introduction a brief account will now be given of Whewell’s academic career. Whewell came up to Trinity in 1812 as a sub-sizar, ‘a tall, ungainly youth, with grey worsted stockings and country made shoes’.