Charles Margerison - Amazing Scientists

What would Charles Darwin say if he was interviewed about his life and work? Likewise, how would Galileo reflect upon his contribution to scientific discovery if he looked at it from todays perspective?

There were not many journalists to interview the leading scientists when they were making breakthroughs in days gone by. Also, few of the great scientists in times past wrote an autobiography. I have, therefore, looked at the information about their lives and written what I think they may have said about their contributions to science. The stories are called BioViews which is a new term that links biographies with interviews.

Science covers many fields of endeavour. This book contains a range of contributions that highlight amazing breakthroughs in chemistry, physics, psychology, engineering, medicine and other fields. Each of the BioViews records the social as well as the technical aspects of the lives of scientists. For example, the story of how Michael Faraday, with little formal education in his youth, became a leader in science is fascinating. The motivation of a number of scientists was determined by issues close to their family. Louis Pasteur had no cure to save three of his children who took ill and died. He became determined to find the causes of infection and the spread of disease. Gerhard Domagk took a risk and applied a chemical, before it was fully tested, to help his daughter. Jonas Salk also involved his family in the early adoption of the drug he was researching to protect them from polio.

Some scientists emigrated to new countries and cultures before making their scientific breakthroughs. Madame Curie left Poland to study and work in France, where she did research that earned her two Nobel Prizes. Others like Einstein, Tesla, Horney and Landsteiner were also emigrants. Their stories are inspirational.

I trust you will enjoy this book. It can be of considerable help to students at all levels from secondary upwards and adults who wish to update their understanding of science and amazing scientists. All the BioViews can be read in five to ten minutes. They form the basis for discussion and action on key issues. For further information on the series please go to www.amazingpeopleclub.com.

Dr Charles Margerison

Joseph Banks

1743 1820

For someone who was not a sailor, I spent a lot of time at sea

In truth, it was not to earn a living

Having inherited a family fortune, I had more than enough money

The purpose of my travels was to pursue scientific interests

The voyages, over many oceans, enabled me to study fossils and plants

My interest, some say obsession, was botany

It started in 1766, when I sailed to Newfoundland and Labrador

Both were cold, windy and inhospitable places

Exactly right for finding plants and rocks, not disturbed by people