Drive behind the legends of South African science

Wieland Gevers

doi:10.17159/sajs.2017/a0221

Abstract

drive behind the legends of South African science

Highlights

Coming back to the issue of a possible underlying purpose or goal of this compilation, one is struck by the high level of energy and industry displayed by virtually all of these individuals
There is a long tradition of books which – through a compilation of biographies – seek to achieve a particular goal of the author that is distinct from the purely narrative-historical
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has published a book comprising a set of biographical pieces on 53 eminent South African scholars and scientists who are all elected Academy Members but who in addition have been admitted to national orders by the Presidency, and/or have been awarded the country’s largest and most prestigious individual research grant, the Harry Oppenheimer Award, and/or have been awarded the Science-for-Society Gold Medal of the Academy itself

Summary

Introduction

Coming back to the issue of a possible underlying purpose or goal of this compilation, one is struck by the high level of energy and industry displayed by virtually all of these individuals. There is a long tradition of books which – through a compilation of biographies – seek to achieve a particular goal of the author that is distinct from the purely narrative-historical.

Results

Conclusion