William Hunter's World

Reviews / Votes

'The essays in William Hunter's World firmly establish their subject in the circle of outstanding figures of late Enlightenment society. In this volume, for the first time, physical evidence for the wide range of Hunter's scholarship is examined in depth through the holdings of his museum and library, to provide a remarkable compendium of his achievements and to signpost potential lines of research that will continue to consolidate the reputation of this major figure of the later eighteenth century.' Arthur Macgregor, Editor, Journal of the History of Collections

'The essays that comprise William Hunter's World: The Art and Science of Eighteenth-Century Collecting do justice to the remarkable subject of this important publication, both in their wide intellectual compass, and in their international scope. As the first in-depth examination of the massive collections amassed by Hunter as an Enlightenment physician and experimental naturalist whose curiosity coursed the whole of the natural world, as well as the global sweep of human culture, this volume leaves no doubt that he was one of the great modern thinkers of his age. The essayists demonstrate Hunter's signal contributions to the transformation of a broad spectrum of fields, from obstetrics and human anatomy, to ethnography and zoology, while promoting the professional practice of the visual arts, both as a collector and patron, and as the first professor of anatomy at the Royal Academy. Most importantly, the authors point to the value of Hunter's magnificent collections as an essential means by which to gain an understanding of his drive and accomplishments, opening new lines of investigation to be pursued in the holdings of the University of Glasgow, which constitute Hunter's great legacy.' Amy Meyers, Director, Yale Center for British Art, USA "William Hunter's world is an excellent demonstration of how the histories of art and science can be enriched through attention to their intertwined material cultures. Interesting themes to emerge include the idea of encounters and exchanges within the collection; Hunter's use of objects for teaching and research; museum documentation and what it can tell us about the emergence, transformation or dying away of disciplines; and questions of privacy in an era when dissection was conducted in private but its products were placed on display. The title provides a solid foundation for future William Hunter studies."

- Felicity Roberts, in Archives of Natural History, 2017