Scientific Associations of the Lubbock Estate
1938; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 142; Issue: 3603 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1038/142908b0
ISSN1476-4687
Tópico(s)Philosophy and History of Science
ResumoTHE public acquisition of the High Elms estate in Kent, as part of London's 'green belt', is an event of note in the history of science ; for this was the home of the Lubbock family from 1808. In that year, Sir John William Lubbock acquired the nucleus of the property, some 270 acres ; by later accretions the estate reached its present extent of nearly a thousand acres. A second Sir John William Lubbock was the first to bring scientific fame into the annals of the family: his observations of tidal and lunar phenomena and in physical astronomy ranked him high, and he was elected fellow of the Royal Society when barely twenty-seven years old. He worked also on the mathematical doctrine of probability and applied it practically to the subject of life assurance. He became the first vice-chancellor of the University of London. He built the present mansion of High Elms, extended the property, and greatly beautified it by planting many of the splendid trees which grace it now. He was followed by a still more famous son, Sir John Lubbock, afterwards Lord Avebury, who, born in 1834, spent nearly all his life there, and succeeded to the property in 1865. It is well known that on the scientific side his extraordinary career was influenced, not only by his father, but also, profoundly, by Charles Darwin.
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