Sarah Bowdich Lee (1791-1856) and Pioneering Perspectives on Natural History

This is a nuanced and original account of a neglected figure, and a highly stimulating exploration of the communication and wider understanding of the natural sciences in the nineteenth century and afterwards. By means of careful scholarly detection, Orrs rich, multi-layered interpretation of Bowdichs work and significance places this woman of science in her rightful place and makes, thereby, a substantial contribution to our understanding of nineteenth century science, history and culture. -- David Brown, Professor of Modern History, University of Southampton. This study of the British natural historian Sarah Bowdich Lee is a formidable scholarly achievement. It pays significant critical attention to the multifaceted contribution she made to nineteenth-century explorative science and it responds to an urgent need in various intersecting fields history of science, literary studies and womens studies to investigate how women looked beyond national frameworks to advance scientific endeavour. -- Alison E. Martin, Professor of British Studies, JGU Mainz/Germersheim, Germany. Mary Orrs meticulously-researched book recovers Sarah Bowdich Lees pioneering contributions to science over three decades, across continents and despite the challenges and barriers Bowdich faced as a woman, a mother and a widow. This book will become the standard reference on Bowdich Lee and, equally importantly, prompt readers to re-evaluate womens scientific work in this period. -- Patience Schell, University of Aberdeen. Mary Orrs book is a magnificent study of the fascinating author and natural historian Sarah Bowditch Lee. Pursuing her in the archives and through her extensive travels in West Africa, Bowditch Lee is returned to her rightful place in history and science. Extensive appendices demonstrate the number and range and significance of her publications. This book is an impressive undertaking, accomplished with elegance and spirit. -- Sharon Ruston, Professor, Department of English Literature and Creative Writing, Lancaster University. What will she do now? Sarah Bowdich Lees wonderfully non-conformist life as a traveller, naturalist, author, and illustrator subverts many of our expectations. In a ground-breaking biography, Mary Orr offers a rousing story that will interest all who care about inclusivity in STEMM while also causing historians to re-examine their understanding of the people and practices of nineteenth century science. -- Jonathan R. Topham, Professor of History of Science, University of Leeds.

Mary Orr is the Buchanan Chair of French at the University of St Andrews. Her specialist research in nineteenth-century French studies connects its literatures, histories and cultures, and includesthe natural and earth sciences in their ambit.

Mrs Sarah, 1824: Introduction to Standout Women in Comparative Natural History; Part One: Canvassing Cuvier, Chapter One: AFirst Natural History of the Fishes of West Africa in the Excursions dans les Isles de Madre et de Porto Santo (1826); Chapter Two: A First Natural History of Fishes Illustrated from the Life in The Fresh-Water Fishes of Great Britain (182838); Chapter Three: A First Scientific Biography from a Womans Pen: The Memoirs of Baron Cuvier (1833); Part Two: Harnessing Humboldt, Chapter Four: A First (Plant) Geography of the Gambia: Excursions in Madeira and Porto Santo (1825); Chapter Five: A Foremost (Woman) Explorers First-Hand Notes: Stories of Strange Lands and Fragments from the Notes of a Traveller (1835); Chapter Six: A Refit for Larger Scientific Purpose? Pioneering Natural History Fiction Abroad and at Home in The African Wanderers (1837); Part Three: Opening Access to Expert Natural History, Chapter Seven: Scientific Illustration Second to None: Doubly Expert Pen and Ink, and the Foremost Uses of (Water) Colour; Chapter Eight: Textbook Natural History: Elements of Natural History (1844; 1850) and New Paradigms for Science Pedagogy; Chapter Nine: Just an Anecdote? Pioneering Perspectives from the Life in Anecdotes of the Habits and Instincts of Animals (1852), Anecdotes of the Habits and Instincts of Birds, Reptiles and Fishes (1853) and Sir Thomas the Cornish Baronet (1856); Sarah Bowdich Lee and Pioneering Perspectives in Natural History: Lessons forToday; Appendices (19); Bibliography; Index