A Companion to the History of American Science

The Companion to the History of American Science joins Blackwell’s existing series of companions to American history and provides an authoritative overview of the recent scholarship on the history of American science. With nearly fifty essays, the volume explores specific sciences, the intersections of science and American society, and techno-science issues in the history of American science. The essays are accessible to educated non-specialists, while engaging advanced students and scholars seeking references to the historiography of American science. Ultimately, this volume addresses the fundamental question: How did the United States, which had very few scientific resources in the early nineteenth century and lagged far behind its European counterparts, so quickly develop such an influential and productive scientific community? The book’s sections are organized around social, technological, and disciplinary themes.