Biography
Edwin graduated with an MPhil. in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge in 2016, completing a thesis entitled 'From Chelsea to Montague House: Hans Sloane's collection of Jamaican plants, 1742-1768', which examines the founding natural historical collections of the British Museum, part of which has recently been published. Edwin decided to extend his interests in the humanities and sciences further be embarking on a PhD. in History and Philosophy of Science, in which he examines natural history collecting practices in Britain, c. 1760-1830, paying specific attention to the collections of Joseph Banks and Thomas Pennant. For more information on Edwin's current research projects, please click here for his department web page.
Other Academic Interests
History of the life sciences, history of natural history, history of the book, history of collecting, early modern history, history of museums, history of classification, history of the earth sciences, the material culture of natural history
Publications
'Natural history collections and the book: Hans Sloane's A Voyage to Jamaica (1707-25) and his Jamaican plants', Journal of the History of Collections, 30: 1(2018), pp. 15-33.
'Specimens, Slips and Systems: Daniel Solander and the reclassification of nature at the world's first public museum, 1753-1768', The British Journal for the History of Science, 52: 2 (2018), pp. 205-237.
Review of 'James Delbourgo, Collecting the World: The Life and Curiosity of Hans Sloane (London: Allen Lane, 2017)', The British Journal for the History of Science, 50 (2017), pp. 731-732.