GS
George Sarton
20quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
George Sarton was born as Georges Auguste Étienne Sarton on April 21, 1884, in Ghent, Belgium.
Birth and Death Dates
April 21, 1884 - June 29, 1956
Nationality and Profession(s)
Belgian-American; Historian of Science, Medievalist, and Educator.
Early Life and Background
Sarton's early life was marked by a deep interest in languages and literature. He began studying classical philology at the University of Ghent but soon shifted his focus to medieval history and philosophy. In 1907, Sarton traveled to Paris to further his education, where he became fascinated with the works of Aristotle and the development of scientific thought during the Middle Ages.
Major Accomplishments
Sarton's most significant contribution was in shaping the field of the history of science as a distinct discipline. He played a pivotal role in establishing the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) and served as its director from 1928 to 1945, guiding the creation of the Dictionary of Scientific Biography. This monumental work is considered one of his crowning achievements.
Notable Works or Actions
Sarton wrote extensively on various subjects including the history of science, medieval philosophy, and the Arabic influence on European thought during the Middle Ages. His magnum opus, "Introduction to the History of Science," remains a foundational text in the field. He also founded Isis: An International Review Devoted to the History of Science and Its Cultural Influences, a journal that continues to be a prominent platform for scholars today.
Impact and Legacy
Sarton's work not only expanded our understanding of scientific development but also underscored its intricate relationship with cultural context. His emphasis on the importance of interdisciplinary research paved the way for future generations of historians and philosophers to engage in more nuanced analyses of science within society.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
George Sarton's influence extends far beyond his academic contributions, as he was a fierce advocate for the integration of history, philosophy, and science. His legacy is marked by a commitment to fostering global understanding through education and an insatiable curiosity about human knowledge.
Quotes by George Sarton
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Scientific achievements seem evanescent, because the very progress of science causes their supersedure; yet some of them are of so fundamental a nature that they are immortal in a deeper way.
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The whole past and the whole world are alive in my heart, and I shall do my part to communicate their presence to my readers.
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Some forty years of experience in my field as a scholar and as a teacher have given me great confidence mixed with greater humility.
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The historical order is very interesting, but accidental and capricious; if we would to understand the growth of knowledge, we cannot be satisfied with accidents, we must explain how knowledge was gradually built up.
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On the basis of my historical experience, I fully believe that mathematics of the 25th century will be as different from that of today as the latter is from that of the 16th century.
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Wisdom is not mathematical, nor astronomical, nor zoological; when it talks too much of any one thing it ceases to be itself. There are wise physicists, but wisdom is not physical; there are wise physicians, but wisdom is not medical.
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If we are generous enough, we can stretch our souls everywhere and everywhen else. If we succeed in doing so, we shall discover that our present embraces the past and the future and that the whole world is our province.
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I am obliged to deal with hundreds of men and to make them live without killing the reader.
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A deed happens in a definite place at a definite time, but if it be sufficiently great and pregnant, its virtue radiates everywhere in time and space.
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