Singer, Charles Joseph, 1876-1960 (historian of science, technology and medicine)
Dates
- Existence: 1876 - 1960
Biography
Charles Joseph Singer (1876-1960), historian of medicine and science, was born on 2 November 1876 at 22 Brunswick Square, Camberwell, London. He began the medical course at University College, London, in 1893, but discovered a preference for zoology and won a scholarship at Magdalen College, Oxford. He graduated BA in 1898 and then returned to the study of medicine, at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, where he graduated BM in 1903. He qualified MRCS and LRCP and was immediately appointed medical officer to a small geographical expedition to Abyssinia, where he spent nearly a year. On his return Singer completed his residence at St Mary's and graduated BM BCh at Oxford (DM in 1911) and then filled various posts in London, Brighton, and Singapore. Back in London he was admitted MRCP in 1909 and was appointed registrar to the Cancer Hospital, where he undertook pathological research, and physician to the Dreadnought Hospital, where he extended his interest in tropical diseases. He retained these posts until he went to Oxford in 1914 and for a time he was concurrently in consulting practice in Westminster. After the war Singer returned to Oxford as lecturer in the history of biological sciences, and in 1920 he accepted a lectureship in the history of medicine at University College, London. He died at his home in Cornwall on 10 June 1960.
Found in 40 Collections and/or Records:
Charles Joseph Singer: Correspondence to Sir Clifford Allbutt, Charles Sayle and Francis Jenkinson, 1920-1922
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.
Correspondence with Charles Singer about his 'History of Technology' and its relationship to 'Science and Civilisation in China' and other matters, 1951-12-22 - 1952-02-06
Others matters discussed include Joseph Needham's request for copies of the 'Fremont papers'; the unexpected death of Gustav Haloun, Professor of Chinese at Cambridge; the health of Dorothy Needham; the decision by Cambridge University Press to bring out 'Science and Civilisation in China' in seven volumes.
Correspondence with Charles Singer about Joseph Needham's work on Su Sung's [蘇頌 / Su Song] 《新儀象法要》[Hsin I Hsiang Fa Yao / Xin Yi Xiang Fa Yao], (1094), and related matters, 1955-11-23 - 1955-11-26
Related matters dicussed include the 'Dondi clock'; gearing in clocks. Joseph Needham states 'I shall have to eat my words about clockwork being an undeniable European contribution'.
Correspondence with Charles Singer of Par, Cornwall, about his work 'Herbal in Antiquity' and other matters, 1956-04-10 - 1956-04-21
The correspondence comprises 3 letters from Singer; copies of 2 letters from Joseph Needham.
Other matters discussed include old copies of 'Isis'; work of Wu Lien-Teh.
Correspondence with Dorothea Singer about the sorting of Charles Singer's papers following his death in June 1960, 1960-10-26 - 1961-01-16
This series contains files on each topic set out in Joseph Needham's grand plan for 'Science and Civilisation in China'.
Cuttings of a review by Charles Singer published in 'The Spectator' and copy of Joseph Needham's letter to the paper's editor about typing errors in the review, 1960-01-22 - 1960-01-31
Joseph Needham has annotated one of the cuttings.
Cuttings of newspaper obituaries and letters published following the death of Charles Singer of Par, Cornwall, 1960-06-13 - 1960-09-03
This series contains files on each topic set out in Joseph Needham's grand plan for 'Science and Civilisation in China'.
Greeting card/leaflet from Charles and Dorothea Singer of Kilmarth, Par, Cornwall, 1935
The Singers have created this leaflet as an alternative to a Christmas card. The outside has an illustration of a hydra. Inside the leaflet there is text describing the work of Abraham Trembley (1700-84) and his work on hydra. There are further illustrations showing Trembley and his pupils at work.
Greetings card from Charles and Dorothea Singer, reproducing an image from an Attic bowl of c.1540B.C. showing Dionysus in a boat with dolphins swimming around, 1950 - 1953
This series contains files on each topic set out in Joseph Needham's grand plan for 'Science and Civilisation in China'.
Letter from Charles Singer about his review of the volume, 1960-03-25
These files of correspondence are particularly interesting as they provide an insight into people’s opinion of the volumes. Joseph Needham opened a file each time a volume was published.
Letter from Charles Singer, accompanying a plan for his book, 'A History of Technology', 1950-11-20 - 1950
Joseph Needham's file title reads '中國科学史/Book Itself/Generalities/Not CUP'.
Letter from Charles Singer in Berkeley, California, U.S.A., discussing his time at Berkeley and his plans for his return trip to the U.K., 1932-07-22
Singer also expresses disappointment at Joseph Needham's lack of acknowledgement for material provided fo 'Chemical Embryology'.
Letter from Charles Singer in Berkeley, California, U.S.A., originally accompanying a copy of his itinerary for his return journey to the U.K., 1932-12-09
This series contains files on each topic set out in Joseph Needham's grand plan for 'Science and Civilisation in China'.
Letter from Charles Singer in London about a waterwheel in the Isle of Man, reputed to be the largest in the world, and copy of Joseph Needham's reply, 1962-12-30 - 1963-03-04
This file contains material relating to water-wheels, water-mills, bellows, fans, triphammers etc.
Letter from Charles Singer in London, about two Chinese documents held at the Library of the Royal College of Physicians, 1949-06-30
One of the documents is a roll containing excellent illustrations of Chinese acupunture and anatomy. The other is a Chinese botanical text [Joseph Needham refers to the files botany].
The documents also include some notes on Charles Singer's views on anatomy.
Letter from Charles Singer of Highgate Village, London about his 'Short History of Medicine' and other matters, 1928-03-26
Singer says that Joseph Needham will 'strongly disaprove of everything about' the book.
Letter from Charles Singer of Highgate Village, London advising Joseph Needham on his approach to the 'History of Embryology' and suggesting useful contacts in the field, 1928-04-10
This series contains files on each topic set out in Joseph Needham's grand plan for 'Science and Civilisation in China'.
Letter from Charles Singer of Highgate Village, London advising Joseph Needham that he has 'begun to read your book', 1928-05-28
The letter also mentions a William Harvey exhibition.
Letter from Charles Singer of Highgate Village, London commenting on Joseph Needham's book, 1928-06-07
Singer comments 'it is racy and witty as well as learned and useful'.
Letter from Charles Singer of Highgate Village, London enquiring about progress of Joseph Needham's 'History of Biochemistry', 1929-03-08
This series contains files on each topic set out in Joseph Needham's grand plan for 'Science and Civilisation in China'.
Letter from Charles Singer of Highgate Village, London presenting suggestions for the publication of 'Chemical Embryology', 1928-06-11
Singer's main suggestions are that the book be compressed and the historical section be published separately.
Letter from Charles Singer of Par, Cornwall about Joseph Needham's 'Iron and Steel Technology in China' and copy of Joseph Needham's reply, 1959-01-05 - 1959-01-16
This series contains files on each topic set out in Joseph Needham's grand plan for 'Science and Civilisation in China'.
Letter from Charles Singer of Par, Cornwall about the appointment of a chair for the History of Science in Cambridge and discussing other matters, 1959-08-06
Other matters discussed include the publication of his 'Short History of Scientific Ideas'.
Letter from Charles Singer of Par, Cornwall about the meaning of 'natural law' and related documents, 1949-10-29
Singer's letter also discusses the work of the biologist and historian, F. S. Bodenheimer of Jerusalem; his scheme for a 'History of Technology'. The related documents comprise letter from Dorothea Singer also about the meaning of 'natural law'; related notes by Joseph Needham.
Letter from Charles Singer of Par, Cornwall, about the study of the History of Science at Imperial College, London and other matters, 1959-06-02
Other matters discussed include the employment of Derek Price at Yale University; publication of Singer's 'Short History of Scientific Ideas'.
Additional filters:
- ARCHON code (for CUL materials)
- Archives and MSS Dept. (GBR/0012) 1
- University Archives (GBR/0265) 1