The scientific reputation(s) of John Lubbock, Darwinian gentleman

Abstract

John Lubbock (1834–1913) was born to social and scientific status. His father was a wealthy banker and a respected astronomer. Lubbock's youthful enthusiasm for insects was encouraged by Charles Darwin who lived only two miles from the Lubbock family estate, and Darwin mentored him as his interest in natural history developed.My focus is Lubbock's contemporary reputation, over many different areas of science and over time. In comparing Lubbock's reputation across scientific specialities, John Clark's thesis, that Lubbock's entomology was considered more important than his archaeology and anthropology is confirmed; his botany and geology shown to be less respected. A second consideration, alluded to by “gentleman” in the title, is the extent to which Lubbock's success and reputation was due to his high social position – he was Sir John, fourth baronet, from 1865 and Lord Avebury from 1900. Third, the ways in which Lubbock was “Darwinian” or “non-Darwinian” by both contemporary and modern criteria are analysed. Fourth, in following the course of Lubbock's career, contradictory assessments of the significance of his research appear which involve diverse valuations of specialist/popular, theoretical/experimental and original/synthesizing scientific work. Countering the many derogatory associations of “popular science,” his lectures and books on topics of “general interest” for “general” readers were widely praised.