The Making of Gentleman Scientists through their Wives’ Words in Late Nineteenth-Century Britain.

When: Wednesday 21 October 2026, 5-6pm (the talk will be followed by a drinks reception till 6.30pm)

Where: Milstein Room, Cambridge University Library

The late nineteenth century saw the deaths of many eminent gentlemen scientists, and the concurrent rise of women scientific biographers. Wives, sisters, and daughters turned their pens to memorialising their relatives, and many of the resultant biographies are now scattered throughout Cambridge’s collections. But, so far, these books have received very little attention.

In this talk, Dr Grace Exley (Munby Fellow in Bibliography 2025-27) asks what these books can tell us about both gentlemen of science and the women who wrote about them. By exploring these overlooked sources, we can reconstruct how women’s hands have shaped our impression of some of the most famous scientists of the nineteenth century.

The talk will be accompanied by a small display and a drinks reception.

FREE - Booking required.

If tickets are sold out, please email researchdevelopment@lib.cam.ac.uk to be added to the waiting list.

The event is in-person and will take place in the Milstein Room, Cambridge University Library. Accessbility information for the venue can be found here: https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/accessibility/public-exhibitions-and-events-visitors (https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/accessibility/public-exhibitions-and-events-visitors)

The talk is hosted by the University Library Research Institute in collaboration with Collections-Connections-Communities .

Description supplied by the event organiser.