Introduction: The Making of The Anatomy of Plants

Christoffer Basse Eriksen*, Pamela Mackenzie*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In this introduction to Nehemiah Grew's seminal 17th-century publication The Anatomy of Plants (1682), we discuss the various influences on and impacts of Grew's innovative approach to studying plant life. We offer a review of the current literature on Grew and argue for the importance of his work in its contribution to fields ranging from microscopy to agriculture and from comparative anatomy to scientific illustration. The articles included in this special issue on “The Making of The Anatomy of Plants” are also introduced. We make a case for Grew as a figure of great interest and relevance in our contemporary moment; as plant studies have taken hold in the humanities, historical narratives in the history of science are expanding to include more of the life sciences—a field that, as we show, Grew actively promoted and participated in throughout his tenure at the Royal Society.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCentaurus
Volume65
Issue4
Pages (from-to)685-706
Number of pages22
ISSN0008-8994
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • 17th Century
  • Microscopy
  • Plant Anatomy
  • Political Economy
  • Royal Society
  • Scientific Illustration

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