Peter J. Bowler

Introduction

Irish historian of biology (1944 ) Peter J. Bowler (born 8 October 1944) is a historian of biology who has written extensively on the history of evolutionary thought, the history of the environmental sciences, and on the history of genetics.Irish historian of biology (1944 ) Peter J. Bowler (born 8 October 1944) is a historian of biology who has written extensively on the history of evolutionary thought, the history of the environmental sciences, and on the history of genetics.

His 1984 book, Evolution: The History of an Idea is a standard textbook on the history of evolution; a 25th anniversary edition came in 2009.His 1984 book, Evolution: The History of an Idea is a standard textbook on the history of evolution; a 25th anniversary edition came in 2009.

His 1983 book The Eclipse of Darwinism: Anti Darwinian Evolution Theories in the Decades Around 1900 describes (in a phrase of Julian Huxley's) the scientific predominance of other evolutionary theories which led many to minimise the significance of natural selection, in the first part of the twentieth century before genetics was reconciled with natural selection in the modern synthesis.His 1983 book The Eclipse of Darwinism: Anti Darwinian Evolution Theories in the Decades Around 1900 describes (in a phrase of Julian Huxley's) the scientific predominance of other evolutionary theories which led many to minimise the significance of natural selection, in the first part of the twentieth century before genetics was reconciled with natural selection in the modern synthesis.

Life

Peter Bowler holds a BA from the University of Cambridge, an MSc from the University of Sussex and a PhD from the University of Toronto.Peter Bowler holds a BA from the University of Cambridge, an MSc from the University of Sussex and a PhD from the University of Toronto.

In the 1970s he taught at the School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.In the 1970s he taught at the School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

He is currently a professor in the history of science at Queen's University Belfast, and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a corresponding member of the Académie Internationale d'Histoire des Sciences.He is currently a professor in the history of science at Queen's University Belfast, and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a corresponding member of the Académie Internationale d'Histoire des Sciences.

He was President of the British Society for the History of Science from 2004 to 2006.He was President of the British Society for the History of Science from 2004 to 2006.

His current interests are in the development and implications of Darwinism, the history of the environmental sciences, science and religion (especially twentieth century), and popular science writing.His current interests are in the development and implications of Darwinism, the history of the environmental sciences, science and religion (especially twentieth century), and popular science writing.

Current research is on the production of popular science literature in early twentieth century Britain, with particular emphasis on the role played by professional scientists.Current research is on the production of popular science literature in early twentieth century Britain, with particular emphasis on the role played by professional scientists.

Bowler has criticised creationism in Northern Ireland.Bowler has criticised creationism in Northern Ireland.

He has made appearances on local radio, including interviews with William Crawley on BBC Radio Ulster shows TalkBack and Sunday Sequence here he defended evolution and highlighted the non scientific nature of creationism.He has made appearances on local radio, including interviews with William Crawley on BBC Radio Ulster shows TalkBack and Sunday Sequence here he defended evolution and highlighted the non scientific nature of creationism.