Abstract
For well over half a century, Minerva has been one of the leading independent journals devoted to the study of ‘science, learning and policy’. In its early years, its pages had much to say about the ‘intellectual Cold War’, the defence of academic freedom, and the value systems of Western science. Today, the journal contributes internationally to the discussion of policy in higher education and research. This essay outlines the origins of Minerva through the life and times of its founding editor, Edward Shils, and traces Shils’ influence on the journal from its establishment by the Congress for Cultural Freedom in the 1950s to his death in the 1990s. Throughout his life, Minerva voiced Shils’ commitment to the Enlightenment traditions of consensus, civility, and community. For the present, Shils’ legacy retains a respected place in the history of scholarship. Whether that legacy will endure—and the role Minerva may play in its future—remain questions for the coming generation.
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