Museum of the History of Science Oxford

Abstract

NEARLY twenty-five years ago the Lewis Evans Collection of historic scientific instruments was opened at Oxford by the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, president of the Society of Antiquaries. The collection consisted chiefly of astrolabes, dials and mathematical instruments, and was at once augmented by the transfer of many interesting pieces of philosophical apparatus’ from many of the Oxford colleges. Dr. R. T. Gunther, the curator, was most assiduous and persuasive in acquiring interesting exhibits, and it was not long before the collection had outgrown the Musæum Ashmoleanum in which it had so suitably been placed. In 1935 the Lewis Evans Collection became the Museum of the History of Science, and the need for further space was met by the promise that the whole of the Old Ashmolean Building would be transferred to the Museum in 1942, thus trebling the space available. Unfortunately, Dr. Gunther did not live to see this promise fulfilled, for he died in Kerch 1940, leaving the Museum and his fourteen volumes of “Early Science in Oxford’ as a lasting memorial to his labours for the history of science. The War delayed the occupation of the Museum's new galleries ; and even after the Ministry of Labour had vacated the building, it was necessary to instal a new system of lighting and heating. Thus it was not until October 11 of the present year that the collections were permanently arranged and, by a happy concurrence, opened by the present Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, chairman of the National Art Collections Fund.