Author Description
Clark's biography reveals the private life of J.B.S. Haldane - trail-blazing geneticist & physiologist, popularizer of science and dedicated Marxist. His relationships with colleagues & the political establishment were normally acrimonious - the reminiscences of friends & enemies, as well as his private papers, add the weight of personal insight to this examination of a great man.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This biography investigates the complex intersection of J.B.S. Haldane's scientific contributions, his radical political commitments, and the often contentious nature of his personal and professional relationships. Ronald William Clark utilizes a combination of private papers, correspondence, and interviews with both associates and detractors to construct a comprehensive portrait of Haldane. The text examines how Haldane's work as a geneticist and physiologist was inextricably linked to his Marxist ideology and his public role as a popularizer of science.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed account of Haldane's early life and academic training
- Analysis of his mathematical contributions to evolutionary theory
- Documentation of his political activism and conflict with the establishment
- Examination of his later career and relocation to India
- Primary source insights from his private papers and contemporary accounts
Scope Limits
- Does not provide an exhaustive technical breakdown of his complex mathematical models
- Focuses primarily on the biographical narrative rather than a deep dive into the specific laboratory procedures of his era
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers recognize this work as a thorough and balanced examination of a polarizing scientific figure. The text is noted for its ability to synthesize Haldane's technical achievements with the turbulent social and political context of the mid-twentieth century.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
1984-09-06
ISBN-10:
0192814303
ISBN-13:
9780192814302
Science
Biography
Genetics
Science History
Political Biography