What were scientists called in England before the word "scientist" entered the vernacular?

Question

T.H. Huxley famously complained that the word "scientist" was a "vulgar Americanism." This was in the 19th Century!

Query: what did they call Sir Isaac Newton in the 18th Century?

In the 18th Century they would have called Isaac Newton "Master of the Royal Mint" as he'd quit the science game by then. — KillingTime, May 18 '23 at 20:33
I'm traveling and away from my sources, but I have this hazy memory of the word "scientist" being used for the first woman something. Maybe for Florence Sabin being elected to the Academy of Science. The previous terms were male-gendered, and so they used "scientist" to describe her. I know the word existed prior, but I've read somewhere that this event is when the word "made it." I'll try to remember to check next week. — B. Goddard, May 20 '23 at 12:56

score 54 · Answer 1 · answered May 18 '23 at 20:29

54

Natural philosophy or philosophy of nature (from Latin philosophia naturalis) is the philosophical study of physics, that is, nature and the physical universe. It was dominant before the development of modern science.
Wikipedia

also, on Newton in particular

Sir Isaac Newton FRS (25 December 1642 – 20 March 1726/27) was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author who was described in his time as a natural philosopher.
Wikipedia

answered May 18 '23 at 20:29

GEdgar

25,177

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Newton wrote (of his own works) "Philosophy is such an impertinently litigious lady that a man had as good be engaged in lawsuits as have to do with her". This was in a 1685 letter to his publisher, in relation to a feud with Hooke who accused Newton of plagiarism. – Spehro Pefhany May 19 '23 at 06:49
So it should be no surprise that in English, the terminal academic degree in all scientific disciplines is called "doctor of philosophy". – John Bollinger May 20 '23 at 14:18
@JohnBollinger Except when it isn't. – Andrew Leach May 20 '23 at 19:38
The University of Melbourne's Natural Philosophy department was renamed the Physics department in 1945. – Peter May 21 '23 at 08:35

Graffito · Answer 2 · 2023-05-19T21:08:24.017

6

A scholar is a learned person, an erudite; someone who has acquired a deep knowledge in one or more disciplines.

As illustrated by ngram, this term was significantly used from the middle of 18th century.

Nowadays, it is mostly used in the sense of student. However, it is still employed for scientist, e.g. :

Eminent scholar means world-class, distinguished and established investigators recognized nationally for their research, achievements and ability to garner significant federal funding on an annual basis. Eminent scholars are recognized for their scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to enhance the innovative research that leads to economic gains. Eminent scholars are either members of or likely candidates for the national academy of sciences or other prominent national academic science organizations. < source >

edited May 19 '23 at 21:08

answered May 18 '23 at 23:12

Graffito

13,201

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Would Isaac Newton have been called an "imminent scholar"? – Mari-Lou A May 19 '23 at 04:42
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@Mari-LouA Maybe just before his mother gave birth to him? – Araucaria - Him May 19 '23 at 14:29
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@Mari-LouA You probably men ‘eminent’, not ‘imminent’, and yes he could have been called such. – Austin Hemmelgarn May 19 '23 at 17:53
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@AustinHemmelgarn dang! In any case the user has not provided evidence showing that Sir Isaac Newton was referred to as an *eminent scholar* – Mari-Lou A May 19 '23 at 18:02
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Not all scholars are scientists, and not all scientists are scholars. It's merely something of a coincidence that many scientists of that time were also scholars. – R Mac May 19 '23 at 19:39
@Mari-LouA Preeminent even! – Elliott Frisch May 21 '23 at 20:33

What were scientists called in England before the word "scientist" entered the vernacular?

2 Answers2