In a well-written paper in MLA format, write about what you have learned this semester.
Things you may want to consider when writing your essay:
• How do the author’s styles, forms, and themes register the impact of major events and developments of the times?
• How are they informed by changing concepts of the self, the nature of reality, the possibilities of human knowledge, and our place in the universe?
• How did your understanding change about yourself as a literate citizen of the world, as a student of literature, as a person in general?
• How have the books we have read helped to inform you about a given time, culture, concept?
• How has the literature changed you, effected you, pushed you to see something differently?
You need to use at least three novels that we read in class to help demonstrate what you have learned. Use specific examples from the text. You can check the books out with me, but they must be returned on the last day of class. You can also use your journals as a resource.
This paper must be at least three pages, but no more than 6 pages, long. (Think about it as one to two pages per book—although you should integrate the texts within the given point you are addressing.) It must be thoughtfully written and carefully edited. It must be in MLA format. I am very particular about this!
It is due the last day of the semester, but I would appreciate getting it as soon as you are finished writing it. (The sooner you get it turned in, the sooner I read it, the fresher my eyes, and mind, are in grading it.)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
God of Small Things Journal Topics
1. Roy says about her book “…my book is not about history but biology and transgression. And the fact is that you can never understand the nature of brutality until you see what has been loved being smashed.” Do you think this true in terms of the book? Of life? Does this statement apply to the whole book or just to some incidents?
2. Various dwellings are important to the unfolding of Roy’s story. How is each described? To what extent does each embody or reflect the forces and burdens of history, social order, and custom?
3. Is Time as destroyer the novel’s most insistent theme? How are the blue Plymouth, the pickle factory, Rahel’s toy wristwatch (which always reads “ten to two”), the children’s boat, and other objects related to this theme?
4. What importance does Roy ascribe to story, storytelling, and playacting, including the Kathakali dances and stories? To what extent is the telling of a story more important than the story itself?
2. Various dwellings are important to the unfolding of Roy’s story. How is each described? To what extent does each embody or reflect the forces and burdens of history, social order, and custom?
3. Is Time as destroyer the novel’s most insistent theme? How are the blue Plymouth, the pickle factory, Rahel’s toy wristwatch (which always reads “ten to two”), the children’s boat, and other objects related to this theme?
4. What importance does Roy ascribe to story, storytelling, and playacting, including the Kathakali dances and stories? To what extent is the telling of a story more important than the story itself?
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Cuba
While watching the national news on NBC tonight, I heard the following facts about Cuba that I thought was interesting:
7,000 Cubans fled to America this year saying that the considers in Cuba are unbearable.
This week: 40 people, including children, may have died on a smuggler’s boat that disappeared.
A group of Cubans made a home-made boat to try to reach the U.S. No one has heard from them so their families do not know if they made it or not.
Hopefully, we'll hear about these missing people soon, but I wonder how many people try to take refuge or immigrate to the another country that just go missing...
7,000 Cubans fled to America this year saying that the considers in Cuba are unbearable.
This week: 40 people, including children, may have died on a smuggler’s boat that disappeared.
A group of Cubans made a home-made boat to try to reach the U.S. No one has heard from them so their families do not know if they made it or not.
Hopefully, we'll hear about these missing people soon, but I wonder how many people try to take refuge or immigrate to the another country that just go missing...
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Communist Countries in the World
I wanted to double check the info about Communist countries and I was wrong. The Communist countries in the world include China, Cuba, North Korea, Laos, and Vietnam.
Ms. Peifer
Ms. Peifer
Going After Cacciato Journal Topics
1. Pick a quote from “How to Tell a True War Story” and respond to it in terms of Going After Cacciato.
2. The book illustrates the “intersection of public events and private lives.” Has there been a public event in your lifetime that impacted your personal life? How did you, or will you, deal with it?
3. Going After Cacciato has been called a work of the "surreal.” What is the impact of this stylistic approach on the story and the reader?
Topics for discussion
1. Look at the order—they things are presented. We have three different kinds of chapter—how do they relate or correct. Look for patterns and connections.
2. How do people die? Which parts of the book seem most “real”? Why?
3. Cities—symbols for ideas? Why is going to Paris important, as opposed to going to London or Vienna or Rio de Janeiro?
4. What is this book about? Why set it in the Vietnam War? Is it a war book? An anti-war book?
5. Don’t forget style, which is easy to do because the narrative is so captivating. What kind of allusions does he use? Symbols?
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sula: Things To Think About
1. Shadrack: Can you explain him? What is his significance and the meaning of National Suicide Day in the novel?
2. The “Bottom” was what sociologists call a face to face community. What do you think this means? Does a community have to be a place or will a group of people make a community? How did living in the Bottom affect Sula and Nel? Relate the community in this book to the one in Their Eyes Were Watching God.
3. Toni Morrison writes of the people in the Bottom: “They did not believe death was accidental—life might be—but death was deliberate.” How might this statement apply to the structure of the novel? Who dies? Do only people die?
4. What are people looking for in terms of relationships in this book? In terms of love? In terms of sex? In terms of companionship?
5. What is the function of Sula in this story beyond her role as a character in the narration?
6. In some ways Sula asks us to suspend judgment about the morality of the events in the book. What are examples of this?
7. In her essay “Rootlessness” Morrison says a novel should have something in it that enlightens; something in it that opens the door and points the way; something in it that suggests what the conflicts are, what the problems are. What is it in Sula that does this—what are the conflicts and the problems?
8. The end of the book: was it necessary? Was it satisfying?
2. The “Bottom” was what sociologists call a face to face community. What do you think this means? Does a community have to be a place or will a group of people make a community? How did living in the Bottom affect Sula and Nel? Relate the community in this book to the one in Their Eyes Were Watching God.
3. Toni Morrison writes of the people in the Bottom: “They did not believe death was accidental—life might be—but death was deliberate.” How might this statement apply to the structure of the novel? Who dies? Do only people die?
4. What are people looking for in terms of relationships in this book? In terms of love? In terms of sex? In terms of companionship?
5. What is the function of Sula in this story beyond her role as a character in the narration?
6. In some ways Sula asks us to suspend judgment about the morality of the events in the book. What are examples of this?
7. In her essay “Rootlessness” Morrison says a novel should have something in it that enlightens; something in it that opens the door and points the way; something in it that suggests what the conflicts are, what the problems are. What is it in Sula that does this—what are the conflicts and the problems?
8. The end of the book: was it necessary? Was it satisfying?
Sula Journal Topics
Sula: Journal Topics
Choose at least one of these topics to write about. You may write on all four if you choose, or you may follow your own inquiry through the book.
1. Why, at the end of the book, is Nel missing Sula and not Jude? Do you and your friends neglect each other when you are dating or in love? What can you get from friendships that you cannot get from a loving and/or sexual relationship?
2. On page 66 Hannah asks Eva if she ever loved her children. She spends the next few pages saying she did, but defining love in a way that Hannah finds surprising. Was she a good parent? According to Eva, what is a good parent? Do you accept her definition? If not, what is wrong with it?
3. Morrison, like Faulkner, challenges our assumptions about the way communities work. Associations like neighborhoods and families have a different dimension in this book. Pick one that interests you and compare the way the two authors develop them.
4. Morrison states: "...one can never really define good and evil. Sometimes good looks like evil; sometimes evil looks like good--you never really know what it is. It depends on what uses you put it to. Evil is as useful as good is..." Locate specific places in the novel where "good" and "evil" are intertwined; where what might be assumed to be "evil" is explained in terms of "goodness" or vice versa.
Choose at least one of these topics to write about. You may write on all four if you choose, or you may follow your own inquiry through the book.
1. Why, at the end of the book, is Nel missing Sula and not Jude? Do you and your friends neglect each other when you are dating or in love? What can you get from friendships that you cannot get from a loving and/or sexual relationship?
2. On page 66 Hannah asks Eva if she ever loved her children. She spends the next few pages saying she did, but defining love in a way that Hannah finds surprising. Was she a good parent? According to Eva, what is a good parent? Do you accept her definition? If not, what is wrong with it?
3. Morrison, like Faulkner, challenges our assumptions about the way communities work. Associations like neighborhoods and families have a different dimension in this book. Pick one that interests you and compare the way the two authors develop them.
4. Morrison states: "...one can never really define good and evil. Sometimes good looks like evil; sometimes evil looks like good--you never really know what it is. It depends on what uses you put it to. Evil is as useful as good is..." Locate specific places in the novel where "good" and "evil" are intertwined; where what might be assumed to be "evil" is explained in terms of "goodness" or vice versa.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Transcript Info
If you need to request a transcript for your college applications, you will need to know your U of M student id, which should be on the material you received from the U after you registered for the class. You can request this information online: onestop.umn.edu
I created a link to the site if you click on one stop on the right side of the blog.
Then, click on grades and transcripts. You can view or print your unofficial transcript from this site. If you need an official transcript, you can request that one is sent to you through this site. You probably will need a credit/debit card to pay for it online.
Let me know if you have any trouble with this process.
I created a link to the site if you click on one stop on the right side of the blog.
Then, click on grades and transcripts. You can view or print your unofficial transcript from this site. If you need an official transcript, you can request that one is sent to you through this site. You probably will need a credit/debit card to pay for it online.
Let me know if you have any trouble with this process.
Comments on the Research Journal
Hi everyone. One last comment on the research journal: one part of this journal was to connect the research to the book (Please look at the handout I gave you). I don't know if many of you did that. If you have not completed this portion of the assignment, please post a comment on your own entry to create this as an addendum. I will grade this assignment when the others are due so you have until them to add this addendum. Please feel free to comment on each other's posts and ask questions, etc.
Ms. Peifer
Ms. Peifer
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sikh Wars by Croix
The story begins in 1839 in the beautiful court if Lahore in India. It all started when Ranjit Singh died of a stroke during the warm, summer of 1839. When he died, the death of the great Sikh state quickly proceeded. The whole administration and court system was in chaos. Rather, Singh's army, the Khalsa army came into power and became the new law. The elected representatives managed the army but the army officers didn't like this system. The Punjabi officers were given the position of mere drill sergeants, which was way less of a powerful position than their old ones. Therefore, they went back to their homelands in Europe and America. Soon the army grew to be three times its original size but it lacked discipline and direction. Unfortunately civil war was lurking in the background because the majority of the solders were unpaid and starving. Successors to the throne were continuously murdered, finally leaving Singh's six-year- old son, Maharaja Dalip Singh to rule.
The Maharini's council consisted of Gulab Singh and two of the Brahmin generals of the Sikh army, and they planned to make negotiations with the British as they saw their state slowly deteriorating. The first Anglo-Sikh war took place on February 10, 1846 in Mudki. The Sikhs were defeated at Mudki because although they were initially gaining ground, their commanders held the reinforcements back. The betrayal of their commanders did not stop there. Loads of sand and grain were sent instead of gunpowder, leaving them at loss for weapons.
Many more battles were to come. The subsequent battle at Frozshah was a win for the Sikhs. They had killed 2,331 British troops by the first half of the day. The following battles didn't have such a positive outcome for the Sikh warriors. The Sikhs were beaten at Aliwal, Buddowal and at Sabraon. The Sikh generals kept withholding generals and eventually lead the British to victory. Finally, a treaty of surrender was signed on March 11,1846. By then, the British had taken over almost half of the Sikh kingdom. The British handsomely rewarded the unfaithful generals.
After all of this fighting, there was still more fighting to come. By now the British had taken over most of the Sikh kingdom and the Punjab lands. There arose a rebellion in a small Punjab province now know as the "Sikh rebellion." The British used this occurrence for their reason to annex the Punjab lands for the benefit of the British Empire. The first major battle after the rebellion was fought at Chillianwala on January 13,1849. Surprisingly, the British suffered from this battle. Although this was a win for the Sikhs, their future battles didn't look as victorious. The battles at Gujrat and Ramnugger were lost to the British and eventually on March 10, 1849 the Sikh army was defeated and accepted this defeat. Although the British had won, the Sikhs put up an incredible fight.
Bibliography
See B . .J. Hasrat. Anglo-Sikh Relations. 1799-1849 (1968).
"Sikh Wars." The Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia University Prcss. Sixth Edition 2007.
"The Anglo Sikh Wars:' Search Sikhism. 2004. October 19,2007..
The Maharini's council consisted of Gulab Singh and two of the Brahmin generals of the Sikh army, and they planned to make negotiations with the British as they saw their state slowly deteriorating. The first Anglo-Sikh war took place on February 10, 1846 in Mudki. The Sikhs were defeated at Mudki because although they were initially gaining ground, their commanders held the reinforcements back. The betrayal of their commanders did not stop there. Loads of sand and grain were sent instead of gunpowder, leaving them at loss for weapons.
Many more battles were to come. The subsequent battle at Frozshah was a win for the Sikhs. They had killed 2,331 British troops by the first half of the day. The following battles didn't have such a positive outcome for the Sikh warriors. The Sikhs were beaten at Aliwal, Buddowal and at Sabraon. The Sikh generals kept withholding generals and eventually lead the British to victory. Finally, a treaty of surrender was signed on March 11,1846. By then, the British had taken over almost half of the Sikh kingdom. The British handsomely rewarded the unfaithful generals.
After all of this fighting, there was still more fighting to come. By now the British had taken over most of the Sikh kingdom and the Punjab lands. There arose a rebellion in a small Punjab province now know as the "Sikh rebellion." The British used this occurrence for their reason to annex the Punjab lands for the benefit of the British Empire. The first major battle after the rebellion was fought at Chillianwala on January 13,1849. Surprisingly, the British suffered from this battle. Although this was a win for the Sikhs, their future battles didn't look as victorious. The battles at Gujrat and Ramnugger were lost to the British and eventually on March 10, 1849 the Sikh army was defeated and accepted this defeat. Although the British had won, the Sikhs put up an incredible fight.
Bibliography
See B . .J. Hasrat. Anglo-Sikh Relations. 1799-1849 (1968).
"Sikh Wars." The Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia University Prcss. Sixth Edition 2007.
"The Anglo Sikh Wars:' Search Sikhism. 2004. October 19,2007.
William Murray by Kao
William Murray was born on March 2, 1705 in a town in the former Scottish county of Perthshire. In 1742, he took the position of solicitor general for fourteen years and at the same time was a member of the House of Common Boroughbridge. In 1745 he was appointed attorney general and also became the leader of the House of Commons.
He concentrated his efforts and spends most of his time on law rather than politics. As a member of the Troy government, Murray was a strong supporter of moderation in his nation's foreign and domestic policies. His use his learning and understanding of law as the basis for his political beliefs. Using law as an approach to politics get him caught in numerous confrontations. One of them was with "Junius" or Sir Phillip Francis on the issues of political libel.
Even through these oppositions from other people, he was respected for his fairness, modesty and vast leanings. "A rationalist, he reduced costly delays in the legal system, renovated outdated property laws used by courts in the medieval times, and protected the right to freedom of conscience for Catholics" and other relating groups of the Church of England.
His major contributions to England were his development and creation of regulations for the British commercial law. Before the establishment of his rules, English common law was the only regulation that they used. When cases were brought to court regarding trades and other commercial matters, juries relied on their wits. Murray came along and developed clear and specific guidelines for courts to follow. He also established basic principles in governing business which brought English law into step with international countries.
Murray tried to contribute the same idea of guidelines in other English law but was often opposed by many people "who argued for more libel approaches to libel, warrants, and the roles of juries". Some thought that Murray's effort to changing the English law was corrupting the traditions of the legal system.
Overall, Murray developed rules that created equity in the British system of business, bills of exchange, promissory notes and bank check. This eventually became the foundation of British commercial law.
"William Murray." Biographies. Answers Corporation, 2006. Answers.com 21 Oct. http://www.answers.com/topic/william-murray
He concentrated his efforts and spends most of his time on law rather than politics. As a member of the Troy government, Murray was a strong supporter of moderation in his nation's foreign and domestic policies. His use his learning and understanding of law as the basis for his political beliefs. Using law as an approach to politics get him caught in numerous confrontations. One of them was with "Junius" or Sir Phillip Francis on the issues of political libel.
Even through these oppositions from other people, he was respected for his fairness, modesty and vast leanings. "A rationalist, he reduced costly delays in the legal system, renovated outdated property laws used by courts in the medieval times, and protected the right to freedom of conscience for Catholics" and other relating groups of the Church of England.
His major contributions to England were his development and creation of regulations for the British commercial law. Before the establishment of his rules, English common law was the only regulation that they used. When cases were brought to court regarding trades and other commercial matters, juries relied on their wits. Murray came along and developed clear and specific guidelines for courts to follow. He also established basic principles in governing business which brought English law into step with international countries.
Murray tried to contribute the same idea of guidelines in other English law but was often opposed by many people "who argued for more libel approaches to libel, warrants, and the roles of juries". Some thought that Murray's effort to changing the English law was corrupting the traditions of the legal system.
Overall, Murray developed rules that created equity in the British system of business, bills of exchange, promissory notes and bank check. This eventually became the foundation of British commercial law.
"William Murray." Biographies. Answers Corporation, 2006. Answers.com 21 Oct. http://www.answers.com/topic/william-murray
Johann Scheuchzer by Maggie
Johann Scheuchzer (1672-1733), a native of Switzerland, was a physician and math teacher. He was also one of the first people to explore fossils and where they come from.
Scheuchzer supported scientist John Woodward's idea that Fossils originated from the Great Flood. He made Woodward's theory well known by translating one of Woodward's essays into Latin. Johann also researched fossils and came to the conclusion that the Flood had changed the Earth's crust into a gel like material. This then hardened and trapped fish and other organisms.
Scheuchzer was also an important leader of the diluvialism movement. Supporters of this movement received the Bible as a factual book and claimed that human fossils were from lives lost during the Flood.
Overall Scheuchzer was well received by the general public even though some of his discoveries were controversial and later found to be incorrect. In 1811, Georges Cuvier concluded that what Scheuchzer once thought was a human skeleton, was actually the skeleton of a huge salamander. Although Scheuchzer was wrong, he was still very much respected for his innovative ideas, and Cuvier named the fossil "Andrias scheuchzeri" to honor Scheuchzer.
Johann Scheuchzer had a huge impact on discoveries made today. Although he wasn't accurate in all of his conclusions, he was a pioneer in fossil research and the correlation between fossils and living organisms.
Works Cited
Cohn, Norman. "Noah's Flood the Genesis Story in Western Thought." 21 Oct. 2007
BIfXuOC&pg=P A87 &lpg=P A87 &dq=johann+scheuchzer&source=web&ots=veT UyHUWS5&sig=5iedInjVODfQ8qNKI FYk2r4izTs#PP A90,MI>.
"Diluvialism." Answers.Com. 2007. 21 Oct. 2007 .
Waggoner, Ben. "Medieval and Renaissance Concepts of Evolution and Paleontology."
UC Berkeley. 21 Oct. 2007.
Scheuchzer supported scientist John Woodward's idea that Fossils originated from the Great Flood. He made Woodward's theory well known by translating one of Woodward's essays into Latin. Johann also researched fossils and came to the conclusion that the Flood had changed the Earth's crust into a gel like material. This then hardened and trapped fish and other organisms.
Scheuchzer was also an important leader of the diluvialism movement. Supporters of this movement received the Bible as a factual book and claimed that human fossils were from lives lost during the Flood.
Overall Scheuchzer was well received by the general public even though some of his discoveries were controversial and later found to be incorrect. In 1811, Georges Cuvier concluded that what Scheuchzer once thought was a human skeleton, was actually the skeleton of a huge salamander. Although Scheuchzer was wrong, he was still very much respected for his innovative ideas, and Cuvier named the fossil "Andrias scheuchzeri" to honor Scheuchzer.
Johann Scheuchzer had a huge impact on discoveries made today. Although he wasn't accurate in all of his conclusions, he was a pioneer in fossil research and the correlation between fossils and living organisms.
Works Cited
Cohn, Norman. "Noah's Flood the Genesis Story in Western Thought." 21 Oct. 2007
BIfXuOC&pg=P A87 &lpg=P A87 &dq=johann+scheuchzer&source=web&ots=veT UyHUWS5&sig=5iedInjVODfQ8qNKI FYk2r4izTs#PP A90,MI>.
"Diluvialism." Answers.Com. 2007. 21 Oct. 2007
Waggoner, Ben. "Medieval and Renaissance Concepts of Evolution and Paleontology."
UC Berkeley. 21 Oct. 2007
William Maclure by Marit
William Maclure was a Scottish geologist with a fascination for the geology of the United States. He lived from 1763 to 1840 and at that time the only widely used geological map of the United States was one of just the Eastern United States. Maclure's goal was to make a color, geological map of the entire country. This is what gave Maclure the title "father of American geology".
Geology was not regarded as a science at this time so Maclure didn't get much respect for his research and work until the full map was published in 1809. It is rumored that Maclure crossed the Appalachian Mountains 5000 times while constructing the map, There were other maps of the United States but none of them were as widely available as Maclure's, After presenting his findings, Maclure and the science ofGeofogy gained a huge amount of respect from other scientists. He eventually became President of The Academy of Natural Sciences. Maclure also published a book along with the map titled "Observations on the Geology of the United States", which is regarded as a symbol of the beginning of American geology. Maclure used the Wernerian system for constructing his maps and he is widely criticized for it. Maclure used only four colors on his map which represent four classes of rock. This put many limitations on what was included and wasn't included in the map, for example no voleanic rocks were included and he paid little attention to fossils. Even with the criticism, Maclure's map was so widely used because it was the only one of its kind.
Maclure is known as the "father of American geology" bccause he was the first to bring geology into the public eye, not because he had groundbreaking discoveries. His ideas were tcn ycars behind Europe's concepts, but still they were the only ideas in the United States so he was very famous in the scientific world. ?vlaclure also studied the geological layout and madc maps of India, France and Spain in his lifetime.
Besides geology, Maclure also had a passion for education. He unsuccessfully attempted to create an agricultural school in Spain. He also partnered up with scientist Robert Owen and created thc utopian community of New Harmony, Indiana. As leaders of the community they focused on education and society reform. The project seemed like a good idea in rctrospect but it only lastcd for two years.
Works Cited:
Abel'. James S .. "William MacIure." Historv of Geologv -- MacIure. 2007.18 Oct 2007.
Wilson, James Grant. "William MacIure." Virtual American Biographies. 2001.
Viliualoiogy. 18 Oct 2007
Geology was not regarded as a science at this time so Maclure didn't get much respect for his research and work until the full map was published in 1809. It is rumored that Maclure crossed the Appalachian Mountains 5000 times while constructing the map, There were other maps of the United States but none of them were as widely available as Maclure's, After presenting his findings, Maclure and the science ofGeofogy gained a huge amount of respect from other scientists. He eventually became President of The Academy of Natural Sciences. Maclure also published a book along with the map titled "Observations on the Geology of the United States", which is regarded as a symbol of the beginning of American geology. Maclure used the Wernerian system for constructing his maps and he is widely criticized for it. Maclure used only four colors on his map which represent four classes of rock. This put many limitations on what was included and wasn't included in the map, for example no voleanic rocks were included and he paid little attention to fossils. Even with the criticism, Maclure's map was so widely used because it was the only one of its kind.
Maclure is known as the "father of American geology" bccause he was the first to bring geology into the public eye, not because he had groundbreaking discoveries. His ideas were tcn ycars behind Europe's concepts, but still they were the only ideas in the United States so he was very famous in the scientific world. ?vlaclure also studied the geological layout and madc maps of India, France and Spain in his lifetime.
Besides geology, Maclure also had a passion for education. He unsuccessfully attempted to create an agricultural school in Spain. He also partnered up with scientist Robert Owen and created thc utopian community of New Harmony, Indiana. As leaders of the community they focused on education and society reform. The project seemed like a good idea in rctrospect but it only lastcd for two years.
Works Cited:
Abel'. James S .. "William MacIure." Historv of Geologv -- MacIure. 2007.18 Oct 2007
Wilson, James Grant. "William MacIure." Virtual American Biographies. 2001.
Viliualoiogy. 18 Oct 2007
Charles-Alexandre Lesueur by Nora
In the year 1804, a pair of ships filled with weary French seamen sailed into their home port after a grueling trip. One of the men was Charles-Alexandre Lesueur, who would later go on to become renowned for his writings and sketches depicting aquatic life (works which earned him a mention in Servants of the Map). During the voyage, the men had observed the wildlife of Australia and Tasmania and attempted to chart those countries' coasts. The mission had spanned three and a half years and had been plagued by bad luck: arguments between crew members led to some of the sailors abandoning the mission. Others of the crew succumbed to stress and exertion, and the plan to map the coastlines was ultimately a failure. To top off these sailors' misfortunes, much of the French population was so concerned about the events of the Napoleonic Wars that the return of the expedition went relatively unnoticed. However, it would soon be discovered that the ships had brought back with them a great deal of valuable information.
Charles-Alexandre Lesueur, a young man of twenty-two, was an artist who had originally joined the crew as an assistant gunner, all the artists' posts having been taken. As deaths and dissent diminished the crew, though, Lesueur eventually ascended to the position he wanted. With the assistance of a naturalist named Francois Peron, Lesueur collected about 100,000 animal specimens, both living and dead. Using these specimens and his observations of animals in the wild, he created approximately 1,500 detailed sketches. These sketches were extremely valuable to Europeans because, at the time, no other such sketches existed. Europeans had heard descriptions of the kinds of animals that lived "Down Under," but these descriptions were sparse and often flawed. The specimens Lesueur captured allowed the people of Europe to see and understand what the animals of Australia and Tasmania really looked like, while his sketches (which he later reproduced in watercolor on vellum) allowed images of the animals to be put on record and to be distributed to those who did not have access to the specimens themselves. The expedition that had previously been discounted was now seen as a source of useful and interesting information.
Lesueur spent the next few years conducting research, together with Peron, on various sea animals-mollusks, jellyfish, and the like- that lived in the waters around France, and then writing papers on their findings. His next very significant endeavor was a trip to the United States in the company of eminent naturalist William Maclure. They and their companions traveled to the city of Philadelphia, where they remained for several years, and then to Mt. Vernon in Indiana and to New Orleans. During this trip, Lesueur conducted the studies for which he is perhaps best known: those of freshwater fish in North America. He performed some of the first ichthyological surveys of the Great Lakes and produced a great number of papers and sketches on fish and other underwater life. During this period, he also did some work that was not scientific in nature. He painted some portraits of people and was commissioned to paint a theatre curtain.
After his work in America, Lesueur returned to his native France. There, he spent a year as the curator of the Museum of Natural History in Havre and gave art lessons to aspiring sketchers. He also continued his studies of aquatic animals, branching out into research on tortoises and snakes as well.
After the initial period just after the return from his first expedition, when his work remained undiscovered, the scientific community welcomed and valued Lesueur's sketches and writings. Both are detailed, clear, and concise, making them easy to interpret and of great value to the researchers following in his footsteps. Although he is not well known by the general population, Charles-Alexandre Lesueur's efforts had a great influence on naturalists and continue to do so today.
Fuller, Errol. “Voyage of a Painter — Charles-Alexandre Lesueur.” Natural History April 1998.
Lesueur appears in the story "Two Rivers" as a minor character to whom Caleb is introduced at a party. When Lesueur learns that Caleb's father was the author of a book connecting fossils with the biblical flood braved by Noah, he is scornful of Caleb. This embarrasses Caleb greatly and shows how strong an impact his father's actions often have on Caleb's life
Kimberling, Clark. “Charles-Alexandre Lesueur.” Clark Kimberling. University of Evansville. 19 October 2007.
Charles-Alexandre Lesueur, a young man of twenty-two, was an artist who had originally joined the crew as an assistant gunner, all the artists' posts having been taken. As deaths and dissent diminished the crew, though, Lesueur eventually ascended to the position he wanted. With the assistance of a naturalist named Francois Peron, Lesueur collected about 100,000 animal specimens, both living and dead. Using these specimens and his observations of animals in the wild, he created approximately 1,500 detailed sketches. These sketches were extremely valuable to Europeans because, at the time, no other such sketches existed. Europeans had heard descriptions of the kinds of animals that lived "Down Under," but these descriptions were sparse and often flawed. The specimens Lesueur captured allowed the people of Europe to see and understand what the animals of Australia and Tasmania really looked like, while his sketches (which he later reproduced in watercolor on vellum) allowed images of the animals to be put on record and to be distributed to those who did not have access to the specimens themselves. The expedition that had previously been discounted was now seen as a source of useful and interesting information.
Lesueur spent the next few years conducting research, together with Peron, on various sea animals-mollusks, jellyfish, and the like- that lived in the waters around France, and then writing papers on their findings. His next very significant endeavor was a trip to the United States in the company of eminent naturalist William Maclure. They and their companions traveled to the city of Philadelphia, where they remained for several years, and then to Mt. Vernon in Indiana and to New Orleans. During this trip, Lesueur conducted the studies for which he is perhaps best known: those of freshwater fish in North America. He performed some of the first ichthyological surveys of the Great Lakes and produced a great number of papers and sketches on fish and other underwater life. During this period, he also did some work that was not scientific in nature. He painted some portraits of people and was commissioned to paint a theatre curtain.
After his work in America, Lesueur returned to his native France. There, he spent a year as the curator of the Museum of Natural History in Havre and gave art lessons to aspiring sketchers. He also continued his studies of aquatic animals, branching out into research on tortoises and snakes as well.
After the initial period just after the return from his first expedition, when his work remained undiscovered, the scientific community welcomed and valued Lesueur's sketches and writings. Both are detailed, clear, and concise, making them easy to interpret and of great value to the researchers following in his footsteps. Although he is not well known by the general population, Charles-Alexandre Lesueur's efforts had a great influence on naturalists and continue to do so today.
Fuller, Errol. “Voyage of a Painter — Charles-Alexandre Lesueur.” Natural History April 1998.
Lesueur appears in the story "Two Rivers" as a minor character to whom Caleb is introduced at a party. When Lesueur learns that Caleb's father was the author of a book connecting fossils with the biblical flood braved by Noah, he is scornful of Caleb. This embarrasses Caleb greatly and shows how strong an impact his father's actions often have on Caleb's life
Kimberling, Clark. “Charles-Alexandre Lesueur.” Clark Kimberling. University of Evansville. 19 October 2007.
Ubiquitin by Peder
Ubiquitin is a very small protein of only 76 amino acids. It is so named because it is ubiquitous; it can be found almost anywhere. This is true for in the human body and any other creature. It has remained one of the least changed proteins during evolution making it so abundant and so wide spread.
Ubiquitin is used in the degradation of other proteins. This process was discovered by Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hershko, and Irwin Rose who won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2004 for their fundamental discoveries in this process. Ubiquitin is used as a tag that, when attached to unwanted proteins, acts as a key to allow them into the proteasome. In the proteasome these proteins are broken down and the ubiquitin gets reused.
Ubuiquitin and the ubiquitin proteasome system described above are important in cell cycle division, different DNA processes, quality control, and other protein related processes in the cell. Problems in this system have been linked with cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Currently drugs are being created that could be used to modulate the ubiquitin proteasome system in an effort to cure some of these diseases.
Works Cited
"Definition of Ubiquitin." MedicineNet. 06 Oct. 2004. 22 Oct. 2007.
Reinstein, Eyal, and Aaron Ciechanover. "Narrative Review: Protein Degradation and Human Diseases: the Ubiquitin Connection." Annals of Internal Medicine. 07 Nov. 2006. American College of Physicians. 22 Oct. 2007
.
Thelander, Lars. "Ubiquitin-Mediated Proteolysis." www.kva.se. 06 Oct. 2004. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. 22 Oct. 2007
.
Ubiquitin is used in the degradation of other proteins. This process was discovered by Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hershko, and Irwin Rose who won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2004 for their fundamental discoveries in this process. Ubiquitin is used as a tag that, when attached to unwanted proteins, acts as a key to allow them into the proteasome. In the proteasome these proteins are broken down and the ubiquitin gets reused.
Ubuiquitin and the ubiquitin proteasome system described above are important in cell cycle division, different DNA processes, quality control, and other protein related processes in the cell. Problems in this system have been linked with cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Currently drugs are being created that could be used to modulate the ubiquitin proteasome system in an effort to cure some of these diseases.
Works Cited
"Definition of Ubiquitin." MedicineNet. 06 Oct. 2004. 22 Oct. 2007
Reinstein, Eyal, and Aaron Ciechanover. "Narrative Review: Protein Degradation and Human Diseases: the Ubiquitin Connection." Annals of Internal Medicine. 07 Nov. 2006. American College of Physicians. 22 Oct. 2007
Thelander, Lars. "Ubiquitin-Mediated Proteolysis." www.kva.se. 06 Oct. 2004. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. 22 Oct. 2007
Asa Gray by Vathana
American Botanist, Asa Gray was born on November 18, 1810 in Sauquoit, New York. His interest in Botany began in the spring of 1827 when he started to collect and identify plants. He received his master's degree for doctor of medicine in the year 1831 at Fairfield College and later established a medical practice in Bridgewater, New York. His career continued on as a college professor of botany at University of Michigan and a professor of natural history at Harvard in the year 1842. Asa Gray was able to create the first herbarium and the first botanical library at Harvard University. He also rearranged and expanded the garden for botanical research purposes. The herbarium soon became the best in America and the entire botanical department of Harvard University became most valuable thanks to the contributions of Asa Gray. He retired from his teaching career in the year 1873. Asa Gray published many books on his botanical studies and essays on evolutionary theory. Some of his more recognized books include Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States, Flora of North America, and Darwiniana. A vast majority of Asa Gray's life was devoted to the studies of the Flora in North America. He often traveled around the United States and Europe to further advance his research. Asa Gray was one of the first supporters of Darwin's theory of natural selection. He played a major role in introducing Darwin's theory to the United States by using his studies of Botany to explore and support it. Asa Gray generally reviewed European Scientific works, becoming a small link between European and American botanical science studies.
Asa Gray passed away on January 30,1888. Yet all of his life's work still continued to contribute to the research and education in botanical science.
Bibliography
M., Alexis. "Asa Gray." Perry's Perennial Pages. 18 October 2007..
"Asa Gray." Love to Know 1911. 1 September 2006. 18 October 2007..
"Asa Gray (1810-1888) Papers." Harvard University Herbaria. 18 October 2007..
Asa Gray passed away on January 30,1888. Yet all of his life's work still continued to contribute to the research and education in botanical science.
Bibliography
M., Alexis. "Asa Gray." Perry's Perennial Pages. 18 October 2007.
"Asa Gray." Love to Know 1911. 1 September 2006. 18 October 2007.
"Asa Gray (1810-1888) Papers." Harvard University Herbaria. 18 October 2007.
Fossils Findings in the Late 1800s by Annie
During the second have of the nineteenth century, numerous fossil discoveries from all over the world contributed greatly to scientists' understanding of prehistoric life and the theory of evolution. Important fossils and artifacts discovered during this time were the dinosaur skeletons, an Archaeopteryx feather, and the Neanderthal man.
In 1855 the first skeleton of Archaeopteryx was discovered in Germany. Overtime more specimens were found including the London Specimen, Berlin Specimen, and the Haarlem specimen. What was remarkable about Archaeopteryx was that it had features of both dinosaurs and birds.
"By virtue of this fact Archaeopteryx represents an example of a group in transition - a representative which, although on the sidelines in the dinosaur to bird transition, an echo of the actual event, still allows a brief glimpse into the possible mechanism which brought about the evolution of the birds and by its very existence shows that such a transition is possible (Nedin)."
When found fossils weren't necessarily described to the world by the person who discovered them, for it was often accidental. Instead it was the scientists who studied them, drew conclusions about them, and finally after what could be years published their conclusions. Scientists famous for their study of Archaeopteryx were Herman von Meyer and Robert Owen.
In 1860, five years after the skeleton was unearthed, Herman von Meyer found a feather of Archaeopteryx. The age of the feather was not as significant as simply the amount of detail that was preserved with such a soft tissue.
Around this same time Hadrosaurus skeletons were being found in Haddonfield, New Jersey by the paleontologist Joseph Leidy. These discoveries gave both scientists a lot of notoriety and were the basis for modern paleontology in North America. "His Hadrosaurus foulkii studies would establish Leidy as the father of modern paleontology and make the Academy North America's preeminent institution in that field throughout the rest of the nineteenth century (Levins)."
Another famous American paleontologist was Othniel Charles Marsh who discovered among many other remains, the first pterosaur fossils in 1871. As professor of vertebrate paleontology at Yale University he established the Peabody Museum of Natural History and the Marsh Botanical Garden at Yale University, both of which contributed to furthering the world's understanding of evolution.
Around the same time Archaeopteryx was discovered, the first Neanderthal man was discovered in the Neander valley by quarry workers. It was debated whether the skeleton was actually a different-but-close species of human or merely a deformed example of a human being. However, the prior proved correct when gradually more Neanderthal fossils were found over a region stretching from Britain and Spain all the way to Iran. Not only had Neanderthals existed over such a vast area, but also for a very long period of time. The bones dated from 35 to 230 thousand years old.
Nowadays, although they are still researching and making discoveries, scientists are much more aware of evolution and how it works. They all have a lot to thank fossils and the scientists who studied them in the late 1800s.
Bibliography
Gascoigne, Bamber. HistoryWorld.
http://www.historyworld.netlwrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid =604&Histor yID=.2007. October 21,2007.
Levins, Hoag. "From the Shores of a Bucolic Pond to World Fame: Haddonfield's Dinosaur" http://www.levins.com/bones.shtml. 1995-2004. October 21,2007.
Nedin, Chris. "Talk Origins Archive" www.talkorigins.org/fags.archaeoptcryx/inf().htmI. 1999. October 21, 2007.
In 1855 the first skeleton of Archaeopteryx was discovered in Germany. Overtime more specimens were found including the London Specimen, Berlin Specimen, and the Haarlem specimen. What was remarkable about Archaeopteryx was that it had features of both dinosaurs and birds.
"By virtue of this fact Archaeopteryx represents an example of a group in transition - a representative which, although on the sidelines in the dinosaur to bird transition, an echo of the actual event, still allows a brief glimpse into the possible mechanism which brought about the evolution of the birds and by its very existence shows that such a transition is possible (Nedin)."
When found fossils weren't necessarily described to the world by the person who discovered them, for it was often accidental. Instead it was the scientists who studied them, drew conclusions about them, and finally after what could be years published their conclusions. Scientists famous for their study of Archaeopteryx were Herman von Meyer and Robert Owen.
In 1860, five years after the skeleton was unearthed, Herman von Meyer found a feather of Archaeopteryx. The age of the feather was not as significant as simply the amount of detail that was preserved with such a soft tissue.
Around this same time Hadrosaurus skeletons were being found in Haddonfield, New Jersey by the paleontologist Joseph Leidy. These discoveries gave both scientists a lot of notoriety and were the basis for modern paleontology in North America. "His Hadrosaurus foulkii studies would establish Leidy as the father of modern paleontology and make the Academy North America's preeminent institution in that field throughout the rest of the nineteenth century (Levins)."
Another famous American paleontologist was Othniel Charles Marsh who discovered among many other remains, the first pterosaur fossils in 1871. As professor of vertebrate paleontology at Yale University he established the Peabody Museum of Natural History and the Marsh Botanical Garden at Yale University, both of which contributed to furthering the world's understanding of evolution.
Around the same time Archaeopteryx was discovered, the first Neanderthal man was discovered in the Neander valley by quarry workers. It was debated whether the skeleton was actually a different-but-close species of human or merely a deformed example of a human being. However, the prior proved correct when gradually more Neanderthal fossils were found over a region stretching from Britain and Spain all the way to Iran. Not only had Neanderthals existed over such a vast area, but also for a very long period of time. The bones dated from 35 to 230 thousand years old.
Nowadays, although they are still researching and making discoveries, scientists are much more aware of evolution and how it works. They all have a lot to thank fossils and the scientists who studied them in the late 1800s.
Bibliography
Gascoigne, Bamber. HistoryWorld.
http://www.historyworld.netlwrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid =604&Histor yID=.2007. October 21,2007.
Levins, Hoag. "From the Shores of a Bucolic Pond to World Fame: Haddonfield's Dinosaur" http://www.levins.com/bones.shtml. 1995-2004. October 21,2007.
Nedin, Chris. "Talk Origins Archive" www.talkorigins.org/fags.archaeoptcryx/inf().htmI. 1999. October 21, 2007.
Sir William Hooker by Caroline
Sir William Hooker was one of the most significant English botanists of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Through his extensive study and countless published works on plants he made many forward strides in raising awareness and interest in botany, most notably of which being his expansion of the British Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.
Born in Norwich, England on July 6th 1785, Hooker learned the study of plants from his father, Joseph Hooker. He received his early education at the grammar school in Norwich and then later went on to Starston Hall, where he studied estate management. When his godfather, William Jackson, died and left him a large inheritance, Hooker abandoned his budding career as an estate manager and put all his new wealth into his true passion, botany.
In 1806, at the age of twenty-one, he discovered a new type of moss called "Buxbaumia
Aphylia" which launched his career and sparked the interest of Sir Joseph Banks, a renowned naturalist. Banks sponsored Hooker in his fist botanical expedition, a full-expense paid trip to
Iceland in which Hooker made many notes and collected numerous plant samples. On the journey back, however, all his meticulous research was destroyed in a shipboard fire which nearly cost him his life. Once safe at home, Hooker wrote his first book, Tour of Iceland, (published in 1809) from memory, which collected much acclaim among the botanist elite.
In 1814, he spend nine months studying indigenous plant life in Switzerland and northern
Italy and, in 1815, Hooker married Maria Turner, the daughter of the botanist Dawson Turner.
Shortly thereafter, in 1820, he was appointed Regius Professor of Botany at the University of
Glasgow where he was a huge hit. He started the University's first Botanical Magazine in 1826, but eventually found that the job, although satisfying, was not making him enough money to support his new family.
When the Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, W.T. Aiton, resigned, Hooker was appointed as Kew's new director. Under his management, the gardens were expanded from 11 to 75 acres, a museum of botany was established, and a 270 acre arboretum was built. In 1836, these remarkable advances in his field generated royal interest, and Hooker was knighted. He maintained his position as director of Kew until his dying day. In 1865, after a struggle with a throat disease now thought to be cancer, Hooker died, and his son Joseph Hooker was selected to take his place.
Throughout his life, Sir William Hooker devoted himself to the study and teaching of botany. Through his hard work he inspired many young people of the time to pursue their passions, and also made sure that the Botanical Gardens at Kew remain a fascination for generations to come.
Bibliography
"Hooker, William Jackson (1785-1865)." Australian National Botanical Gardens. Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources. 10/19/07
"Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865)." Kew, History & Heritage. The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. 10/]9/07
"Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865)." The Explorers. PlantExplorers.com™ 10/19/07
"William Jackson Hooker" NNDB: Tracking the Entire World. Soy lent Communications. 10/19/07
Born in Norwich, England on July 6th 1785, Hooker learned the study of plants from his father, Joseph Hooker. He received his early education at the grammar school in Norwich and then later went on to Starston Hall, where he studied estate management. When his godfather, William Jackson, died and left him a large inheritance, Hooker abandoned his budding career as an estate manager and put all his new wealth into his true passion, botany.
In 1806, at the age of twenty-one, he discovered a new type of moss called "Buxbaumia
Aphylia" which launched his career and sparked the interest of Sir Joseph Banks, a renowned naturalist. Banks sponsored Hooker in his fist botanical expedition, a full-expense paid trip to
Iceland in which Hooker made many notes and collected numerous plant samples. On the journey back, however, all his meticulous research was destroyed in a shipboard fire which nearly cost him his life. Once safe at home, Hooker wrote his first book, Tour of Iceland, (published in 1809) from memory, which collected much acclaim among the botanist elite.
In 1814, he spend nine months studying indigenous plant life in Switzerland and northern
Italy and, in 1815, Hooker married Maria Turner, the daughter of the botanist Dawson Turner.
Shortly thereafter, in 1820, he was appointed Regius Professor of Botany at the University of
Glasgow where he was a huge hit. He started the University's first Botanical Magazine in 1826, but eventually found that the job, although satisfying, was not making him enough money to support his new family.
When the Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, W.T. Aiton, resigned, Hooker was appointed as Kew's new director. Under his management, the gardens were expanded from 11 to 75 acres, a museum of botany was established, and a 270 acre arboretum was built. In 1836, these remarkable advances in his field generated royal interest, and Hooker was knighted. He maintained his position as director of Kew until his dying day. In 1865, after a struggle with a throat disease now thought to be cancer, Hooker died, and his son Joseph Hooker was selected to take his place.
Throughout his life, Sir William Hooker devoted himself to the study and teaching of botany. Through his hard work he inspired many young people of the time to pursue their passions, and also made sure that the Botanical Gardens at Kew remain a fascination for generations to come.
Bibliography
"Hooker, William Jackson (1785-1865)." Australian National Botanical Gardens. Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources. 10/19/07
"Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865)." Kew, History & Heritage. The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. 10/]9/07
"Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865)." The Explorers. PlantExplorers.com™ 10/19/07
"William Jackson Hooker" NNDB: Tracking the Entire World. Soy lent Communications. 10/19/07
East India Company by Eric
The Fast India Company was started 011 the very last of the year 1600. [[s original name was the Governor and Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies. The East India Company's was made up of entrepreneurs from London who wanted to make money on importing spices from Southern Asia. As navigation technologies increased the Europeans had easier time shipping spices and made a greater amount of money.
Like many businesses today they had stocks however the East India Socks were by each voyage. Each voyage had its own "subscribers" or what we would call stockholders. This lasted until the year 1612 when they switched to temporary joint stocks and finally to permanent joint stocks in 1657.
The East India Company had many encounters that were not always the most friendly. This required the Company to gather and create it's own military. In the late eighteenth century the British government began to intervene with the company and in 1813 the British government took away the Company's monopoly. The East India Company was completely out of existence in 1873.
The East India Trading Company was very significant in the trade and transportation business. They established convenient trade routes throughout Asia and the Middle East.· Singapore was one example of the East India Company conquering colonies. Before The Company Singapore was a very small island with very few people living on it. In 1819 The East India Company purchased Singapore from the Sultan of Johor and created one of the greatest ports for ships.
www.victorianweb.org/history/empire/ei4george_p_landon.
Like many businesses today they had stocks however the East India Socks were by each voyage. Each voyage had its own "subscribers" or what we would call stockholders. This lasted until the year 1612 when they switched to temporary joint stocks and finally to permanent joint stocks in 1657.
The East India Company had many encounters that were not always the most friendly. This required the Company to gather and create it's own military. In the late eighteenth century the British government began to intervene with the company and in 1813 the British government took away the Company's monopoly. The East India Company was completely out of existence in 1873.
The East India Trading Company was very significant in the trade and transportation business. They established convenient trade routes throughout Asia and the Middle East.· Singapore was one example of the East India Company conquering colonies. Before The Company Singapore was a very small island with very few people living on it. In 1819 The East India Company purchased Singapore from the Sultan of Johor and created one of the greatest ports for ships.
www.victorianweb.org/history/empire/ei4george_p_landon.
Godfrey Vigne by Conor
Godfrey Vigne was a peculiar traveler who spent much of his time traveling the world especially in and around India. Vigne was born in England in 1801 and was a lawyer by profession however that took second place to his love of traveling and writing volumes on these travels. The travels ranged from all over Europe and Asia to the different world of America. Vigne lived a mid ranged and fruitful life with his travels and writing opportunities.
Having been born in 1801 Godfrey Vigne began his professional career as a lawyer however that soon became of less interest as his travels and writings became more important. Vigne wrote two volumes of notes and articles on the beautiful and majestic lands of in and around southern Asia. He wrote these on the seemingly different land and drew maps as to help give insight to others of his experiences in the area. As well as writing these volumes Vigne also collected plants to which someone wrote about at the end of his voiumes.
The character of Max Vigne in Servants of the Map by Andrea Barret is almost a direct influence from the man Godfrey Vigne from real life. They both were doing the same work and were interested in the same things during the same time period. Vigne also traveled elsewhere such as America for his exploration experiences. He also wrote about this travel in volumes of his own called Six Months in America. He left in 1831 and came back with plenty of experience in the lives of average Americans. Vigne reflected that America should be more like London and that manners and the like need to be worked on to better their image. Godfrey Vigne died in 1863 with many travels and experiences on his belt. He helped many learn about the different worlds of places such as India to the other side of the world in America.
Bibliography
Author Info. 21 October 2007.
History Guide. 28 September 2007. 21 October 2007 < letter="V">.
I
Having been born in 1801 Godfrey Vigne began his professional career as a lawyer however that soon became of less interest as his travels and writings became more important. Vigne wrote two volumes of notes and articles on the beautiful and majestic lands of in and around southern Asia. He wrote these on the seemingly different land and drew maps as to help give insight to others of his experiences in the area. As well as writing these volumes Vigne also collected plants to which someone wrote about at the end of his voiumes.
The character of Max Vigne in Servants of the Map by Andrea Barret is almost a direct influence from the man Godfrey Vigne from real life. They both were doing the same work and were interested in the same things during the same time period. Vigne also traveled elsewhere such as America for his exploration experiences. He also wrote about this travel in volumes of his own called Six Months in America. He left in 1831 and came back with plenty of experience in the lives of average Americans. Vigne reflected that America should be more like London and that manners and the like need to be worked on to better their image. Godfrey Vigne died in 1863 with many travels and experiences on his belt. He helped many learn about the different worlds of places such as India to the other side of the world in America.
Bibliography
Author Info. 21 October 2007
History Guide. 28 September 2007. 21 October 2007 < letter="V">.
I
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