Archetypes and Ancestors Paleontology in Victorian London, 1850-1875

"The social construction of scientific knowledge, clearly one of the most exciting trends in the history of science in the 1890's, has made a solid stride forward with the publication of Archetypes and Ancestors. . . . Adrian Desmond set out to determine how much light might be shed on the mid-Victorian controversies over fossil reconstruction by an investigation of the ideological commitments and political programs of London paleontologists. The answer is: a great deal of light. The resulting book is thoroughly fascinating."--Philip Rehbock, American Historical Review"A sophisticated study of the colonization of scientific territory--specifically of rival attempts to design the dinosaur--and of the constructive (not just obstructive) role of social pressures in the making of 'lasting contributions' to science. Not least it is a joy to read, perkily irreverent at times and full of nice vignettes and memorable turns of phrase."--Roy Porter, Times Higher Education SupplementDesmond, Adrian is the author of 'Archetypes and Ancestors Paleontology in Victorian London, 1850-1875', published 1986 under ISBN 9780226143446 and ISBN 0226143449.