Abstract
AMONG that small band of statesmen, including Lord Balfour and Lord Haldane, through whose efforts and advocacy in the last thirty years science and scientific research have come to occupy in Great Britain a more fitting place in the life of the nation, Lord Samuel holds an assured place. In debates on scientific research, the organization of the war-effort, the planning of national resources, whether of land or of man-power or brain-power, Lord Samuel has consistently put the scientific point of view, lucidly and forcefully, but never overstated. It would be difficult to determine how much scientific workers owe to his reasoned presentation of their case in such matters as the recent proposals for a Scientific Civil Service or the organization of science for war, but of all this there is little hint in these memoirs. There is a passing reference to his position as president of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, and there are accounts of the origins of his two books, “Belief and Action” and “An Unknown Land”, which reveal his deep interest in both science and philosophy.
Memoirs
By the Rt. Hon. Viscount Samuel. Pp. viii + 304. (London: Cresset Press, Ltd., 1945.) 15s. net.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BRIGHTMAN, R. Memoirs. Nature 157, 88 (1946). https://doi.org/10.1038/157088a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/157088a0