The role of the amateur in nineteenth century American and English scientific education

Abstract

Both in America and England the Industrial Revolution initially led to an increase in interest in science amongst amateur societies and individual enthusiasts. However, this rise of the amateur scientist was undermined in the nineteenth century by the new demands of the industrialising societies and the arrival of professionalisation. This article traces some of the similarities and differences in America and England in the role of the amateur scientist as the century progressed.