Thomas Jefferson: Statesman of Science by Silvio A. Bedini

Abstract

160 Book Reviews TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE These include a transit instrument for positional astronomy, several Borda reflecting circles for navigation, a theodolite for surveying, and a standard meter used to verify measures employed in the French Hydrographic Service. A very precise chemical balance, patterned after the one Fortin made for Lavoisier in 1788, foreshadows the close collaboration between scientists and instrument makers that would be a hallmark of the Parisian community that, to paraphrase S. F. Cannon, invented physics in the early decades of the 19th century. A Silbermann heliostat of circa 1850 represents the wide range of French optical apparatus that was to be found in laboratories around the world. Deborah Jean Warner Ms. Warner is curator of the history of physical sciences at the National Museum of American History. Thomas Jefferson: Statesman of Science. By Silvio A. Bedini. New York: Macmillan, 1990. Pp. xviii + 616; illustrations, notes, appendix, bibliography, index. $29.95. Whether Thomas Jefferson was among the greatest Americans of his time will probably always be debated by students of Revolutionary and early national American history. That he was the most versatile probably qualifies as a truism. Silvio Bedini—although with some limitations that will be noted—has done a remarkable job of portray­ ing Jefferson in one of his well known but less studied roles, that of America’s foremost “statesman of science.” Jefferson deserves this label for a variety of reasons but primarily because his greatest achievement, so Bedini tells us, was the promo­ tion of the sciences in the new republic. His grounding in nearly all of the sciences of his time, his wide-ranging scientific acquaintance maintained by an almost ceaseless correspondence, and his voracious appetite for new knowledge equipped him for this role, and history placed him in an ideal location for it. A diplomatic mission to France during one of the most exciting periods in French science helped him to become acquainted with the latest science and made him come to realize that commercial and industrial, as well as agrarian, develop­ ment were necessary if his country were to achieve true national independence. As secretary of state he was able to direct the impor­ tant work of standardizing weights and measures and develop our first patent system. His view of patents, as Bedini demonstrates, was really a great deal more complex than is often reported. As president he was able to launch the period of national expansion with his “Corps of Discovery.” Bedini’s account of the detailed attention Jefferson gave to the Lewis and Clark expedition makes us wish the statesman had been equally attentive to the problems of disposition of the TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE Book Reviews 161 equipment and dealing with the collections. Bedini is probably correct in explaining this lapse as resulting from Jefferson’s preoccupation with immediate crises of government, such as the Burr conspiracy and the projected Wilkinson expedition against the Spanish territories. Bedini’s treatment of Jefferson is strictly chronological, and be­ cause the major chapters ofJefferson’s life as a statesman of science were neatly arranged around major phases of the young nation’s history, this was probably a wise choice. In dealing with Jefferson, his technique is to let the statesman speak as much as possible for himself, and some readers will conclude that this may be overdone. Bedini has been most diligent in searching out manuscript material that has never before been published—no mean achievement for an individ­ ual as much studied as Jefferson—and some of it is fascinating. This reader, however, would have preferred a shorter book with more of the author’s analysis and fewer of the subject’s words. But Bedini is skillful and only rarely does he permit the story to drag. Despite his obvious admiration of Jefferson and his insistence on siding with republicanism in every political issue of the day, the author does manage to give us an excellent portrayal of both the strengths and limitations of Jefferson’s science. His fascination with technological solutions to problems led him to zealously seek out new inventions, and his anxiety to apply them made him an ardent advocate. Sometimes, in fact, he let his enthusiasm get...