Abstract
In this paper we shall analyze the principal features of the chair of chemistry in the Royal School of Mining (Real Seminario de Minería) during the period 1796 to 1810. To this end we shall discuss those aspects related to theoretical and methodological concept of the chair and references to its functioning. Other points which will be emphasized are the economic, political and ideological factors which intervene in the events included in this study. In our analysis we shall try to articulate an integrated vision of this particular case of the complex process of diffusion-reception of European science.
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References
Saldaña, Juan-José, “The Failed Search for Useful Knowledge: Enlightened Scientific and Technological Policies in New Spain” in Saldaña, J. J. (ed.), Cross Cultural Diffusion of Science: Latin America (Cuadernos de Quipu 2), SHLCT, Mexico City, 1988.
Florescano, Enrique & Gil, Isabel, “La época del crecimiento econémico y las reformas borbónicas 1750–1808” in Historia general de México, El Colegio de México, Mexico City, 1976.
Aceves, Patricia, “La difusión de la ciencia en la Nueva España en el siglo XVIII: la polémica en torno a la nomenclatura de Linneo y Lavoisier”, Quipu: Revista Latinoamericana de História de las Ciências y Tecnología vol.4, n°3, 1987, p.357–385.
Brading, David, Mineros y Comerciantes en el México Borbónico 1763–1810, Fondo de Cultura Econòmica, Mexico City, 1975.
Fausto de Elhuyar and his brother Juan-José were known in the principal centers of Europe for their studies in metallurgy. To finish their studies they undertook in Spain a series of works which led them to the discovery of tungsten. Fausto de Elhuyar remained as Director of the Royal School of Mining until 1821 when the personnel of the establishment took the Oath of Independence.
Among the eleven German technicians were the mineralogists Frederick Sonneschmidt, Franz Fischer, Ludwig Lindner and the mine engineer Karl Gotlieb.
The history of the Royal School of Mining can be found in: Izquierdo, José-Joaquín, La primera casa de las ciências en México, Ediciones Ciencia, Mexico City, 1958.
A case study on the State character of metropolitan science is presented in: Aceves, Patricia, “La difusión de la química moderna en el Real Jardín Botánico de México”, Master’s thesis, UNAM, Mexico City, 1989.
Archives of the Palacio de Minería (APM): “Oficios, informes y consultas relativas al Seminario Nacional de Minería de Nueva España”, 1798, f° 154.
Aceves, Patricia, “La introducción y difusión de la quimica de Lavoisier en México (1788–1800)”, (lecture given before the Mexican Society for the History of Science and Technology, November 15, 1989 at Mexico City), Actas de la Sociedad Mexicana de Historia de la Ciencia y de la Tecnología, vol.1, 1989.
APM: “Libros de cuentas mensuales del Colegio de Minería”, 1796 and 1797.
The dates for the editions published in Mexico City and Madrid are: — Lavoisier, A. L., Tratado elemental de chimica, translated into Spanish for the use of of the Royal School of Mining of México, volume I, Mexico City, Mariano Zuñiga y Ontiveros, 1797. — Lavoisier, A. L., Tratado elemental de química, translated into Spanish by Juan Manuel Muñariz, volumes I & II, Madrid, Imprenta Real, 1798.
Vicente Cervantes arrived in México in 1787 with the Royal Botanical Expedition. In 1793 and 1794 he published, in the Gacetas de literatura, the first two research articles in Mexico in which Lavoisier’s chemistry was applied. He died in Mexico City in 1839.
APM: “Libros de cuentas mensuales del Colegio de Minería”, September 10, 1804. The payment received by Irigoyen on this date was 10 pesos, one and one-half reales.Such a sum appears negligible compared to the 311 pesos, 44 reales received by José Rojas for the first volume.
APM: “Oficios, informes y consultas relativas al Seminario Nacional de Minería de Nueva España”, 1798, f°163.
APM: “Oficios, informes y consultas relativas al Seminario Nacional de Minería de Nueva España”, f° 188–189.
APM: “Oficios, informes y consultas relativas al Seminario Nacional de Minería de Nueva España”, f° 222–223.
APM: Documento 41,1802.3
APM: “Oficios, informes y consultas relativas al Seminario Nacional de Minería de Nueva España”, 1799, f°218.
Among the historians who support this point of view is José-Joaquín Izquierdo. See La primera casa de las ciencias en México..., p.116.
Their names are: Casimiro Chovell, Mariano Jimenez, Rafael Dávalos, Ramón Fabié and Isidoro Vicente Valencia.
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Aceves, P. (1992). The First Chair of Chemistry in Mexico (1796–1810). In: Petitjean, P., Jami, C., Moulin, A.M. (eds) Science and Empires. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol 136. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2594-9_15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2594-9_15
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