This project examines prominent nineteenth century scientists who operated from—and alongside—the Smithsonian Institution. By
examining archival correspondence, reports, and financial records, as well as contemporary news sources and secondary books and journals,
I found that these individuals operated beyond the scientific community as public intellectuals. It is my assertion that these individuals
functioned as "representatives of science" to the American public, while harnessing their status to establish America's place on the
international scientific scene. Of specific interest is the process by which famed ichthyologist and curator Spencer Fullerton Baird, and
his successor George Brown Goode, utilized their dual positions at the Smithsonian and as heads of the U.S. Fish Commission to establish
themselves as scientific emissaries to the domestic and international publics. Ichthyology projects and collections at the Smithsonian
became internationally coveted under their supervision, and the exhibits these men constructed at various International Exhibitions—which
won numerous awards— were direct vectors for global public outreach. This study also reveals the crucial importance of Solomon G. Brown,
the first black employee at the Smithsonian and assistant to three Secretaries, as well as a public intellectual himself. Beyond his
duties at the Institution, Brown was extremely active in the black community of D.C., giving scientific talks and playing an active role
in his local D.C. community. / A Thesis submitted to the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Spring Semester 2016. / April 13, 2016. / George Brown Goode, Joseph Henry, public intellectual, Smithsonian, Solomon Brown, Spencer Baird / Includes bibliographical references. / Ronald E. Doel, Professor Directing Thesis; Kristine C. Harper, Committee Member; James Clark,
Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_360501 |
| Contributors | Burch, Lance Destry (authoraut), Doel, Ronald Edmund (professor directing thesis), Harper, Kristine (committee member), Clark, James J. (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Program in History and Philosophy of Science (degree granting department) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (78 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Coverage | United States |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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