查尔斯·辛格:英国科技史界的巨擎

Charles Singer:A British Giant in the History of Science and Technology

适逢牛津版《技术史》全八卷在国内出版,该书主编查尔斯·辛格引起学术界瞩目。鉴于国内对辛格了解很少,本文梳理相关英文文献并进行评价。辛格早年从事临床医学和肿瘤研究,后受妻子多萝西娅·辛格、威廉·拉姆齐和本杰明·马滕等人影响,逐渐转向历史研究,在医学史、科学史和技术史研究领域取得了丰硕成果。辛格具有国际主义情怀,二战期间曾积极救助犹太难民以及受迫害的教师和学者。再是,辛格对李约瑟的学术研究有很大影响。

Along with the recent publication of the Chinese version of the complete set of A History of Technology(eight volumes),its principal editor(volumes I-V)Charles Singer has drawn increasing attention from Chinese scholars.In view of the fact that not much is known about Singer and his life,this paper scrutinises relevant literature in English and traces some unheard-of stories.Singer was initially a doctor and engaged in cancer research,but later transferred to the field of history under the influence of his wife Dorothea Singer,William Ramsay and Benjamin Marten.He established his fame internationally in multiple areas including the history of medicine,the history of science and the history of technology.Singer was an internationalist;he actively helped Jewish refugees,teachers and scholars during World War II.He was also generous in guiding young researchers such as Joseph Needham.