Sarah Bowdich Lee (1791-1856) and Pioneering Perspectives on Natural History

History from below uncovers overlooked protagonists contributing to (inter)national endeavour often against considerable odds. Mrs T. Edward Bowdich then Mrs R. Lee (17911856) is indicative.

When women allegedly cannot participate in early nineteenth-century scientific exploration, discovery and publication, Sarah's multiple specialist contributions to French and British natural history, and to their dissemination, have surprisingly attracted no book-length study. This first appraisal of Sarah's unbroken production of discipline-changing scientific work over three decades in ichthyology, in historical geography, in the public dissemination of scientific knowledge does more than fill this gap. It also pivotally investigates the intercultural and multi-genre dynamics of Sarah's pioneering perspectives and contributions achieved often at great personal cost. Sarah's larger significance is then to challenge 'secondary' or 'leaky-pipeline' models for women's pioneering work in nineteenth-century natural history as a case study in the distinction of pertinence to women in STEM(M) today.

The British Society for Literature and Science

“This is a nuanced and original account of a neglected figure, and a highly stimulating exploration of the communication and wider understanding of the natural sciences in the nineteenth century and afterwards. By means of careful scholarly detection, Orr’s rich, multi-layered interpretation of Bowdich’s work and significance places this woman of science in her rightful place and makes, thereby, a substantial contribution to our understanding of nineteenth century science, history and culture.” -- David Brown, Professor of Modern History, University of Southampton.

“This study of the British natural historian Sarah Bowdich Lee is a formidable scholarly achievement. It pays significant critical attention to the multifaceted contribution she made to nineteenth-century explorative science and it responds to an urgent need in various intersecting fields – history of science, literary studies and women’s studies – to investigate how women looked beyond national frameworks to advance scientific endeavour.” -- Alison E. Martin, Professor of British Studies, JGU Mainz/Germersheim, Germany.

“Mary Orr’s meticulously-researched book recovers Sarah Bowdich Lee’s pioneering contributions to science over three decades, across continents and despite the challenges and barriers Bowdich faced as a woman, a mother and a widow. This book will become the standard reference on Bowdich Lee and, equally importantly, prompt readers to re-evaluate women’s scientific work in this period. -- Patience Schell, University of Aberdeen.

“Mary Orr’s book is a magnificent study of the fascinating author and natural historian Sarah Bowditch Lee. Pursuing her in the archives and through her extensive travels in West Africa, Bowditch Lee is returned to her rightful place in history and science. Extensive appendices demonstrate the number and range and significance of her publications. This book is an impressive undertaking, accomplished with elegance and spirit.” -- Sharon Ruston, Professor, Department of English Literature and Creative Writing, Lancaster University.

“What will she do now?” Sarah Bowdich Lee’s wonderfully non-conformist life as a traveller, naturalist, author, and illustrator subverts many of our expectations. In a ground-breaking biography, Mary Orr offers a rousing story that will interest all who care about inclusivity in STEMM while also causing historians to re-examine their understanding of the people and practices of nineteenth century science. -- Jonathan R. Topham, Professor of History of Science, University of Leeds.

The book is likely to become a important resource and reference-work, that can be mined productively both by researchers looking specifically at women’s participation in early nineteenth-century science and also by scholars concerned more broadly with the development of, and connections between, French and British science in this period. -- The British Society for Literature and Science

Mary Orr is the Buchanan Chair of French at the University of St Andrews. Her specialist research in nineteenth-century French studies connects its literature, histories and cultures including the natural and earth sciences.

History from below uncovers overlooked protagonists contributing to (inter)national endeavour often against considerable odds. Mrs T. Edward Bowdich then Mrs R. Lee (1791-1856) is indicative. When women allegedly cannot participate in early nineteenth-century scientific exploration, discovery and publication, Sarah's multiple specialist contributions to French and British natural history, and to their dissemination, have surprisingly attracted no book-length study. This first appraisal of Sarah's unbroken production of discipline-changing scientific work over three decades - in ichthyology, in historical geography, in the public dissemination of scientific knowledge - does more than fill this gap. It also pivotally investigates the intercultural and multi-genre dynamics of Sarah's pioneering perspectives and contributions achieved often at great personal cost. Sarah's larger significance is then to challenge 'secondary' or 'leaky-pipeline' models for women's pioneering work in nineteenth-century natural history as a case study in the distinction of pertinence to women in STEM(M) today.

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