♫ Claire ♫
James Watt, Oxford University Museum of Natural History
A Scottish engineer, Watt is famous for his success in modifying steam engines to make them more efficient. His new models of the steam engine had a huge impact on the Industrial Revolution as they came to be used in factories, mills and mines. In recognition of the importance of his work, the electrical unit, the watt, was named after him. Caen stone statue by Alexander Munro.
A number of eminent scientists, philosophers and engineers are commemorated with statues around the Museum: Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, Darwin and Linnaeus are among the figures that grace the court. Several busts celebrate Oxford men of science that have made a significant contribution to the Museum.
The Museum is a magnificent testament to the Victorian neo-Gothic movement. It was designed to be a 'cathedral to science' and reflects this throughout. The stonework in the interior is no exception: columns of polished stone are capped by intricately carved capitals depicting different botanical orders, and the court is surrounded by statues of the great men of science. Darwin, Newton and Galileo act as inspiration to researchers, students, and visitors to the Museum.
When the Museum opened it was planned that each pillar around the gallery would play host to a statue of one of the great scientists. The statues were paid for by private subscription however, and unfortunately only 19 full statues were completed. All but one of the statues is carved in Caen stone - a limestone from Normandy in France. Many of the sculptors were well-known Victorian artists.
James Watt, Oxford University Museum of Natural History
A Scottish engineer, Watt is famous for his success in modifying steam engines to make them more efficient. His new models of the steam engine had a huge impact on the Industrial Revolution as they came to be used in factories, mills and mines. In recognition of the importance of his work, the electrical unit, the watt, was named after him. Caen stone statue by Alexander Munro.
A number of eminent scientists, philosophers and engineers are commemorated with statues around the Museum: Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, Darwin and Linnaeus are among the figures that grace the court. Several busts celebrate Oxford men of science that have made a significant contribution to the Museum.
The Museum is a magnificent testament to the Victorian neo-Gothic movement. It was designed to be a 'cathedral to science' and reflects this throughout. The stonework in the interior is no exception: columns of polished stone are capped by intricately carved capitals depicting different botanical orders, and the court is surrounded by statues of the great men of science. Darwin, Newton and Galileo act as inspiration to researchers, students, and visitors to the Museum.
When the Museum opened it was planned that each pillar around the gallery would play host to a statue of one of the great scientists. The statues were paid for by private subscription however, and unfortunately only 19 full statues were completed. All but one of the statues is carved in Caen stone - a limestone from Normandy in France. Many of the sculptors were well-known Victorian artists.