Från vitterhet till vetenskap : En studie över Kungl. Vetenskapsakademiens lärdomsklass under 1800-talet

• In 1798 the Royal Academy of Science instituted a classification of its members, designating the last class to be filled by those engaged with world of learning and beautiful arts. This study maps the population of this “learned class” and analyzes the negotiation of epistemic virtues and merits linked to the nebulous field from which the class drew its members. The article argues that a previous understanding of this class as merely honorary needs to be nuanced, in particular regarding the second half of the century. From 1850, the extant nominations of new members illustrates that although learning and erudition was important throughout the period, scientific skill and profound research, proven by publications, were crucial for this proto-humanistic field of knowledge. Moreover, as the political and cultural sphere seized to be arenas from where the class recruited members, the second half of the century saw an increasing population of university professors linked to traditional humanistic disciplines, noted for their scientific creed, rather than their cultural standing. As a result, the article concludes that although other scenarios would have been viable, the “learned class” developed into a “humanistic class” during the second half of 19th century.

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Historia (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- History (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Humanioras historia

Kungl. Vetenskapsakademien

lärda sällskap

epistemiska dygder

History Of Sciences and Ideas

idé- och lärdomshistoria

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)