Anna Botsford Comstock
Karen Penders St. Clair (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- September 2020
- ISBN:
- 9781501716270
- eISBN:
- 9781501716294
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501716270.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, American History: 19th Century
This book is the autobiography written by the naturalist educator Anna Botsford Comstock about her life and that of her husband, the entomologist John Henry Comstock—both prominent figures in the ...
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This book is the autobiography written by the naturalist educator Anna Botsford Comstock about her life and that of her husband, the entomologist John Henry Comstock—both prominent figures in the scientific community and in Cornell University history. A first edition was published in 1953, but it omitted key Cornellians, historical anecdotes, and personal insights. This twenty-first-century edition restores the author's voice by reconstructing the entire manuscript as Anna Comstock wrote it—and thereby preserves Comstock's memories of the personal and professional lives of the couple as she originally intended. The book includes an epilogue documenting the Comstocks' last years and fills in gaps from the 1953 edition. Described as serious legacy work, this book is an essential part of the history of both Cornell University and its press.Less
This book is the autobiography written by the naturalist educator Anna Botsford Comstock about her life and that of her husband, the entomologist John Henry Comstock—both prominent figures in the scientific community and in Cornell University history. A first edition was published in 1953, but it omitted key Cornellians, historical anecdotes, and personal insights. This twenty-first-century edition restores the author's voice by reconstructing the entire manuscript as Anna Comstock wrote it—and thereby preserves Comstock's memories of the personal and professional lives of the couple as she originally intended. The book includes an epilogue documenting the Comstocks' last years and fills in gaps from the 1953 edition. Described as serious legacy work, this book is an essential part of the history of both Cornell University and its press.
Anna Botsford Comstock
Karen Penders St. Clair (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- September 2020
- ISBN:
- 9781501716270
- eISBN:
- 9781501716294
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501716270.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, American History: 19th Century
This chapter describes Anna Botsford and John Henry Comstock's life in Washington, the entomologists who worked with the Comstocks there, and their social connections. On May 1, 1879, Henry became ...
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This chapter describes Anna Botsford and John Henry Comstock's life in Washington, the entomologists who worked with the Comstocks there, and their social connections. On May 1, 1879, Henry became the U.S. Commissioner of Agriculture. Thus, he entered upon his duties as entomologist to the Department of Agriculture and into a very cordial association with Commissioner William G. Le Duc. Following his appointment, Henry asked for a two-year leave of absence from Cornell University. This was granted on the condition that he return for a fortnight in May to complete his course of lectures. As soon as they were settled in Washington, Anna went to Henry's office every day to help him with the many details of the department. As a result of this, she was offered a position to work for her husband.Less
This chapter describes Anna Botsford and John Henry Comstock's life in Washington, the entomologists who worked with the Comstocks there, and their social connections. On May 1, 1879, Henry became the U.S. Commissioner of Agriculture. Thus, he entered upon his duties as entomologist to the Department of Agriculture and into a very cordial association with Commissioner William G. Le Duc. Following his appointment, Henry asked for a two-year leave of absence from Cornell University. This was granted on the condition that he return for a fortnight in May to complete his course of lectures. As soon as they were settled in Washington, Anna went to Henry's office every day to help him with the many details of the department. As a result of this, she was offered a position to work for her husband.
Anna Botsford Comstock
Karen Penders St. Clair (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- September 2020
- ISBN:
- 9781501716270
- eISBN:
- 9781501716294
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501716270.003.0015
- Subject:
- History, American History: 19th Century
This chapter describes how John Henry Comstock was asked to represent Cornell University at the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Royal Society of London in 1912. On the evening after the ...
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This chapter describes how John Henry Comstock was asked to represent Cornell University at the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Royal Society of London in 1912. On the evening after the Comstocks' arrival in London, Henry went to the first informal meeting of the delegates to the Royal Society Celebration. On July 16, 1912, there was an impressive service in Westminster Abbey, which was attended by the delegates who were all in Academic dress. That evening, there was a great dinner in the Guild hall for the delegates. Eleven of the wives of delegates, including Anna Botsford Comstock, were entertained at dinner by Lady Bradford at her home in Manchester Square. The closing event of the celebration was the garden party at Windsor Castle. The delegates were received by their Majesties in the palace and were shown through it afterwards. Henry then attended the International Congress of Entomologists in Oxford in August of 1912.Less
This chapter describes how John Henry Comstock was asked to represent Cornell University at the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Royal Society of London in 1912. On the evening after the Comstocks' arrival in London, Henry went to the first informal meeting of the delegates to the Royal Society Celebration. On July 16, 1912, there was an impressive service in Westminster Abbey, which was attended by the delegates who were all in Academic dress. That evening, there was a great dinner in the Guild hall for the delegates. Eleven of the wives of delegates, including Anna Botsford Comstock, were entertained at dinner by Lady Bradford at her home in Manchester Square. The closing event of the celebration was the garden party at Windsor Castle. The delegates were received by their Majesties in the palace and were shown through it afterwards. Henry then attended the International Congress of Entomologists in Oxford in August of 1912.
Matthew Wale
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- September 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780226676517
- eISBN:
- 9780226683461
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226683461.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
This chapter is a case study of the Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer (1856-61), the first weekly natural-history periodical, which was dedicated to the subject of collecting and studying insects. ...
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This chapter is a case study of the Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer (1856-61), the first weekly natural-history periodical, which was dedicated to the subject of collecting and studying insects. Edited by the entomologist Henry Tibbats Stainton (1822-92), the content of this periodical almost entirely consisted of published letters written by insect collectors from around Britain, sharing news of the species they had captured or observed in their localities. As Stainton intended, the Intelligencer provided a far more efficient means of communication than the more established medium of personal correspondence, as a single letter could be printed and distributed to "every entomologist in the kingdom." Furthermore, the periodical enabled readers and contributors to imagine themselves as part of a wider entomological community based on the exchange of information and specimens. The individual members of this community varied considerably in their personal circumstances, including both wealthy gentlemen, such as Stainton himself, and working-class naturalists. This chapter demonstrates how the Intelligencer enabled these diverse individuals to engage with each other in ways that were scientifically productive, despite their differences. It therefore challenges key historiographical assumptions regarding scientific participation in mid-nineteenth-century Britain.Less
This chapter is a case study of the Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer (1856-61), the first weekly natural-history periodical, which was dedicated to the subject of collecting and studying insects. Edited by the entomologist Henry Tibbats Stainton (1822-92), the content of this periodical almost entirely consisted of published letters written by insect collectors from around Britain, sharing news of the species they had captured or observed in their localities. As Stainton intended, the Intelligencer provided a far more efficient means of communication than the more established medium of personal correspondence, as a single letter could be printed and distributed to "every entomologist in the kingdom." Furthermore, the periodical enabled readers and contributors to imagine themselves as part of a wider entomological community based on the exchange of information and specimens. The individual members of this community varied considerably in their personal circumstances, including both wealthy gentlemen, such as Stainton himself, and working-class naturalists. This chapter demonstrates how the Intelligencer enabled these diverse individuals to engage with each other in ways that were scientifically productive, despite their differences. It therefore challenges key historiographical assumptions regarding scientific participation in mid-nineteenth-century Britain.
Matthew Wale
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- January 2022
- ISBN:
- 9781474424882
- eISBN:
- 9781399502177
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9781474424882.003.0031
- Subject:
- Literature, Criticism/Theory
This case study examines how natural-history periodicals created scientific communities through which a wide range of individuals could participate in the production of scientific knowledge. It ...
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This case study examines how natural-history periodicals created scientific communities through which a wide range of individuals could participate in the production of scientific knowledge. It focuses particularly on the Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer (1856-61), a weekly entomology periodical edited by Henry Tibbats Stainton (1822-92).It argues that periodicals applied new communications technology to the older form of scientific correspondence, making the circulation of observations and specimens more efficient, and expanding the number of practitioners involved in these networks of exchange.Less
This case study examines how natural-history periodicals created scientific communities through which a wide range of individuals could participate in the production of scientific knowledge. It focuses particularly on the Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer (1856-61), a weekly entomology periodical edited by Henry Tibbats Stainton (1822-92).It argues that periodicals applied new communications technology to the older form of scientific correspondence, making the circulation of observations and specimens more efficient, and expanding the number of practitioners involved in these networks of exchange.
Starr Douglas and Felix Driver (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- March 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226164717
- eISBN:
- 9780226164700
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226164700.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, Imperialism and Colonialism
This chapter discusses Smeathman's writings on termite colonies. It examines the visual mapping of tropical nature through the work of naturalist Henry Smeathman. In the course of his travels in ...
More
This chapter discusses Smeathman's writings on termite colonies. It examines the visual mapping of tropical nature through the work of naturalist Henry Smeathman. In the course of his travels in Sierra Leone and the Caribbean during the 1770s, Smeathman effectively followed the route of the triangular trade, using this experience to draw parallels and contrasts between tropical nature in both its “rude” and its “cultivated” state. Smeathman's spectacular sketches of termite colonies provided a different kind of mapping of tropical nature, resulting in a composite image of landscape simultaneously picturesque, topographic, and analytical in form. His paper in Philosophical Transactions was accompanied by a series of striking illustrations, including a spectacular sketch of the habitations of the Termes bellicosus that has attained something of an iconic status among entomologists. The story of these images, their own natural history as it were, provides a particular focus for this chapter. These images constituted particular ways of constructing tropical nature. Their combination in a single composite image rendered tropical landscape in simultaneously picturesque, topographic, and analytical terms. This fusion of modes of depiction usually considered distinct, if not contradictory, raises more general questions not only about composition and genre but also about the visual cultures of natural history.Less
This chapter discusses Smeathman's writings on termite colonies. It examines the visual mapping of tropical nature through the work of naturalist Henry Smeathman. In the course of his travels in Sierra Leone and the Caribbean during the 1770s, Smeathman effectively followed the route of the triangular trade, using this experience to draw parallels and contrasts between tropical nature in both its “rude” and its “cultivated” state. Smeathman's spectacular sketches of termite colonies provided a different kind of mapping of tropical nature, resulting in a composite image of landscape simultaneously picturesque, topographic, and analytical in form. His paper in Philosophical Transactions was accompanied by a series of striking illustrations, including a spectacular sketch of the habitations of the Termes bellicosus that has attained something of an iconic status among entomologists. The story of these images, their own natural history as it were, provides a particular focus for this chapter. These images constituted particular ways of constructing tropical nature. Their combination in a single composite image rendered tropical landscape in simultaneously picturesque, topographic, and analytical terms. This fusion of modes of depiction usually considered distinct, if not contradictory, raises more general questions not only about composition and genre but also about the visual cultures of natural history.
