Melvyn Bragg: In Our Time
As part of Radio 4's Victoria Season, science aficionado Melvyn Bragg (pictured) explores the links between imperialist expansion in the 19th century and the development of scientific methods and knowledge.
These two areas, he finds, were interconnected - colonial conquests led to an explosion in scientific knowledge while, at the same time, this greater awareness and ever-improving technology made imperialism possible.
As Victorian soldiers and sailors journeyed across the globe, subjugating millions of people in Africa, Asia and the South Pacific to British rule and customs, eager scientists followed in their wake, taking samples of the local flora and fauna, and making detailed notes about the natives.
Bragg is joined by science historian Simon Schaffer for this illuminating analysis.
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